Novel compounds as metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I)  
                 
 
wherein A, E G, J, L, M, R 1 , R 2 , and R 3  are as defined in the specification and claims. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and methods for preparing the compounds and compositions. The compounds are metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists and are useful for the treatment of a variety of CNS disorders.

PRIORITY TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of European Application No.05108910.0, filed Sep. 27, 2005, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the central nervous system (CNS) the transmission of stimuli takesplace by the interaction of a neurotransmitter, which is sent out by aneuron, with a neuroreceptor.

L-glutamic acid, the most commonly occurring neurotransmitter in theCNS, plays a critical role in a large number of physiological processes.The glutamate-dependent stimulus receptors are divided into two maingroups. The first main group forms ligand-controlled ion channels. Themetabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) form the second main group and,furthermore, belong to the family of G-protein-coupled receptors.

At present, eight different members of these mGluR are known and ofthese some even have sub-types. On the basis of structural parameters,the different influences on the synthesis of secondary metabolites andthe different affinity to low-molecular weight chemical compounds, theseeight receptors can be sub-divided into three sub-groups: mGluR1 andmGluR5 belong to group I, mGluR2 and mGluR3 belong to group II andmGluR4, mGluR6, mGluR7 and mGluR8 belong to group III.

Ligands of metabotropic glutamate receptors belonging to the group IIcan be used for the treatment or prevention of acute and/or chronicneurological disorders such as psychosis, schizophrenia, Alzheimer'sdisease, cognitive disorders and memory deficits.

Other treatable indications in this connection are restricted brainfunction caused by bypass operations or transplants, poor blood supplyto the brain, spinal cord injuries, head injuries, hypoxia caused bypregnancy, cardiac arrest and hypoglycaemia. Further treatableindications are chronic and acute pain, Huntington's chorea, amyotrophiclateral sclerosis (ALS), dementia caused by AIDS, eye injuries,retinopathy, idiopathic parkinsonism or parkinsonism caused bymedicaments as well as conditions which lead to glutamate-deficiencyfunctions, such as e.g. muscle spasms, convulsions, migraine, urinaryincontinence, nicotine addiction, opiate addiction, anxiety, vomiting,dyskinesia, depressions, colon cancer, sleep disorders, disorders ofcircadian rhythms and glioma since mGluR2 antagonists have been found toreduce cell proliferation in human glioma cells (J. Neurochem. March2003, 84(6): 1288-95).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides compounds of formula (I), pharmaceuticalcompositions containing them, processes for their manufacture andmethods for treating CNS disorders with them.

In particular, the present invention provides compounds of formula (I)

whereineither E and J are N, G is C and one of L or M is N and the other is CH;or L and G are N, E is C, and J and M are CH;

-   R¹ and R² are each independently H, halogen, C₁₋₆-alkyl optionally    substituted by one or more F or by C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₁₋₆-alkoxy    optionally substituted by one or more F;-   R³ is H, —C(CH₃)₂OH, linear C₁₋₄-alkyl or C₃₋₄-cycloalkyl each of    which is optionally substituted by one or more substituent(s)    selected from the group consisting of 1 to 6 F and 1 to 2OH;-   A is selected from the group consisting of aryl and 5 or 6-membered    heteroaryl optionally substituted by one to four R^(a);-   R^(a) is F, OH, amino, C₁₋₆-alkyl optionally substituted by OH,    C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₃₋₄-cycloalkyl, —CO-R^(b), SO₂—R^(c) or    SO₂—NR^(d)R^(e);-   R^(b) is amino;-   R^(c) is OH or C₁₋₆-alkyl;-   R^(d) and R^(e) are the same or different and are selected from the    group consisting of:    -   H;    -   straight or branched C₁₋₆-alkyl optionally substituted by one or        more substituent(s) selected from the group consisting of F,        cyano, OH, di(C₁₋₆-alkyl)amino, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, 5 or 6-membered        heterocycloalkyl, aryl and 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl;    -   C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl;    -   aryl; and    -   5 or 6-membered heteroaryl;-   or R^(d) and R^(e), together with the nitrogen atom to which they    are attached, form an heterocyclic ring of 4 to 6 ring members which    is optionally substituted by OH or C₁₋₆-alkyl;    and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

The compounds of formula (I) can also be used in the form of theirprodrugs. Examples are esters, N-oxides, phosphate esters, glycoamideesters, glyceride conjugates and the like. The prodrugs can add to thevalue of the present compounds advantages in absorption,pharmacokinetics in distribution and transport to the brain.

Compounds of formula I are metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists.Compounds of formula I are distinguished by valuable therapeuticproperties and are useful for the treatment of mGluR-mediated diseases,such as those mentioned above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Unless otherwise stated, the following terms used in the presentdescription have the definitions given in the following. It must benoted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a”, “an,” and “the” include plural forms unless thecontext clearly dictates otherwise.

The term “alkyl” denotes straight-chain or branched saturatedhydrocarbon residues with 1 to 6 carbon atoms (C₁₋₆-alkyl), preferablywith 1 to 4 carbon atoms (C₁₋₄-alkyl), such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl,i-propyl, i-butyl, t-butyl, as well as those groups which areillustrated with the exemplified compounds of the invention hereinafter.

The term “alkoxy” denotes an alkyl residue as defined above bound via anoxygen atom. Examples of “C₁₋₆-alkoxy” residues include methoxy, ethoxy,isopropoxy, as well as those groups which are illustrated with theexemplified compounds of the invention hereinafter. Examples of loweralkoxy substituted by one or more halogen include 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxygroups.

The term “amino” denotes an —NH₂ group.

The term “di(C₁₋₆)alkylamino” denotes an —NR⁷R⁸ group, wherein R⁷ and R⁸are independently C₁₋₆ alkyl groups as defined herein above. Examples ofdi(C₁₋₆)alkylamino groups include but are not limited todi(methyl)amino, di(ethyl)amino, methylethylamino, as well as thosegroups which are illustrated with the exemplified compounds of theinvention hereinafter.

The term “aryl” represents an aromatic carbocyclic group consisting ofone individual ring, or one or more fused rings in which at least onering is aromatic in nature. Preferred aryl groups are phenyl ornaphthyl.

The term “heteroaryl or 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl” refers to anaromatic group having 5 to 6 ring atoms and containing one or moreheteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur. Preferred arethose heteroaryl groups wherein the heteroatom is selected fromnitrogen. Examples of such heteroaryl groups include pyridinyl,pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl or pyridazinyl, and in particular, pyridin-2-yl,pyridin-3-yl, pyridine-4-yl, pyrimidin-5-yl, thiazol-2-yl andthiophen-2-yl as well as those groups which are illustrated with theexemplified compounds of the invention hereinafter.

The term “halogen” embraces fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br)and iodine (I).

The term “cycloalkyl” means a cycloalkyl group containing 3 to 12,preferably 3 to 8 carbon atoms, and still more preferably 3 to 6 carbonatoms, such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl.Cycloalkyl containing 3 to 4 carbon atoms are the most preferred.

The term “5 or 6-membered heterocycloalkyl” denotes a heterocyclic ringhaving 5 or 6 ring members comprising at least two carbon atoms as ringmembers and 1, 2 or 3 additional heteroatom(s) ring members selectedfrom N, O and S, the remaining ring members being carbon atoms. Examplesof 5 or 6 heterocycloalkyl rings include but are not limited to1H-tetrazole; 2H-tetrazole; 1,2,3- and 1,24-triazole; imidazole;pyrrole; 1,2,3-, 1,3,4- or 1,2,5-thiadiazine; 1,4-oxazine; 1,2- or1,4-thiazine; 4-morpholinyl; 1-pyrrolidinyl; 1-piperazinyl, preferably4-morpholinyl; 1-pyrrolidinyl or 1-piperazinyl as well as those groupswhich are illustrated with the exemplified compounds of the inventionhereinafter. Substituents for such 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ringinclude but are not limited to halo, amino, nitro, cyano, OH, C₁₋₆-alkyloptionally substituted by OH, C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₂₋₆-alkenyl,C₃₋₈-cycloalkyl, or CF₃, and preferably C₁₋₆-alkyl or CF₃ as well asthose groups which are illustrated with the exemplified compounds of theinvention hereinafter.

The term “R^(d) and R^(e), together with the nitrogen atom to which theyare attached, form an heterocyclic ring of 4 to 6 ring members” denotesa 4 to 6-membered heterocycloalkyl, wherein the heterocycloalkyl ring isas defined above and contains at least one nitrogen atom to which R^(d)and R^(e) are attached.

The term “C₂₋₆-alkenyl” denotes a straight- or branched-carbon chaingroup containing from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and containing 1, 2 or 3double bond(s), preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms and 1 double bond.Examples of such groups are methenyl, 1-ethenyl, 2-ethenyl, 1-propenyl,2-propenyl, 3-propenyl, isopropenyl, isobutenyl, sec-butenyl,tert-butenyl, pentenyl, and n-hexenyl as well as those specificallyillustrated by the examples herein below.

The term “thiophenyl” as used herein is synonymous with “thienyl” anddenotes a thiophene substituent, i.e., C₄H₄S.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable,” such as pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier, excipient, etc., means pharmacologically acceptable andsubstantially non-toxic to the subject to which the particular compoundis administered.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt” refers to any saltderived from an inorganic or organic acid or base.

“Therapeutically effective amount” means an amount that is effective toprevent, alleviate or ameliorate symptoms of disease or prolong thesurvival of the subject being treated.

In particular, the present invention provides compounds of formula (I)

whereineither E and J are N, G is C and one of L or M is N and the other is CH;or L and G are N, E is C, and J and M are CH;

-   R¹ and R² are each independently H, halogen, C₁₋₆-alkyl optionally    substituted by one or more F or by C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₁₋₆-alkoxy    optionally substituted by one or more F;-   R³ is H, —C(CH₃)₂OH, linear C₁₋₄-alkyl or C₃₋₄-cycloalkyl each of    which is optionally substituted by one or more substituent(s)    selected from the group consisting of 1 to 6 F and 1 to 2OH;-   A is selected from the group consisting of aryl and 5 or 6-membered    heteroaryl optionally substituted by one to four R^(a);-   R^(a) is F, OH, amino, C₁₋₆-alkyl optionally substituted by OH,    C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₃₋₄-cycloalkyl, —CO-R^(b), SO₂-R^(c) or    SO₂—NR^(d)R^(e);-   R^(b) is amino;-   R^(c) is OH or C₁₋₆-alkyl;-   R^(d) and R^(e) are the same or different and are selected from the    group consisting of:    -   H;    -   straight or branched C₁₋₆-alkyl optionally substituted by one or        more substituent(s) selected from the group consisting of F,        cyano, OH, di(C₁₋₆-alkyl)amino, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, 5 or 6-membered        heterocycloalkyl, aryl and 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl;    -   C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl;    -   aryl; and    -   5 or 6-membered heteroaryl;-   or R^(d) and R^(e), together with the nitrogen atom to which they    are attached, form an heterocyclic ring of 4 to 6 ring members which    is optionally substituted by OH or C₁₋₆-alkyl;    and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Also encompassed by the compounds of formula (I) according to theinvention are those compounds of formula (I-a):

wherein A and R¹ to R³ are as defined hereinabove in connection withformula (I).

In a certain embodiment the compounds of the invention are thosecompounds of formula (I-a), wherein:

-   R¹ is halo or CF₃;-   R² is H, halo, or C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₁₋₆-alkoxy each of which is    optionally substituted by one or more F;-   R³ is H, linear C₁₋₄-alkyl, preferably methyl, or C₃₋₄-cycloalkyl,    preferably cyclopropyl, each of which is optionally substituted by 1    to 6 F, preferably by 2 or 3 F;-   A is selected from the group consisting of aryl, preferably phenyl,    and 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl, preferably thiophenyl, pyridinyl,    pyrimidinyl or pyrazolyl, each of which is optionally substituted by    one to four R^(a);-   R^(a) is amino or SO₂—NR^(d)R^(e); wherein R^(d) and R^(e) are each    H;    and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Preferred compounds of formula (I-a) are those compounds of formula(I-a), wherein:

-   R¹ is Cl, F or CF₃;-   R² is H, F, Cl, methyl, OEt, CHF₂, CF₃, OCF₃ or OCH₂CF₃;-   R³ is H, methyl or cyclopropyl, wherein the methyl and cyclopropyl    group are each optionally substituted by 2 or 3 F;-   A is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, thiophenyl,    pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl and pyrazolyl, each of which is optionally    substituted by one R^(a);-   R^(a) is amino or SO₂—NR^(d)R^(e); wherein R^(d) and R^(e) are each    H;    and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, for example the    following compounds:-   4-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   3-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   3-(3-Pyridin-3-yl-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-5-yl)-7-trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine;-   4-{5-[7-Difluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   3-{5-[7-Difluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   3-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-cyclopropyl-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}1-benzenesulfonamide;-   3-{5-[7-Cyclopropyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   4-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-cyclopropyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   4-{5-[7-Cyclopropyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   3-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   4-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   4-{3-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   3-{3-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   3-(5-{5-[3-(2,2,2-Trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl}-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl)-benzenesulfonamide;-   3-{5-[5-(3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl][1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   4-{5-[5-(3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   3-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   5-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-cyclopropyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid amide;-   5-{5-[5-(3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic    acid amide;-   5-(5-{5-[3-(2,2,2-Trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl}-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid amide;-   5-{5-[7-Cyclopropyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic    acid amide;-   4-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   3-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   5-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic    acid amide;-   5-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid amide;-   5-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid amide;-   5-{5-[7-Methyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid amide;-   5-{5-[7-Difluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic    acid amide;-   5-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-methyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic    acid amide;-   5-{3-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic    acid amide;-   5-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[7-Difluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[5-(3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   3-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-methyl-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   5-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine;-   3-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   5-{5-[5-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic    acid amide;-   3-{5-[5-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   4-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   4-{5-[5-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a)    pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a)    pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[7-Difluoromethyl-5-(3-methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[5-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[5-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[7-Difluoromethyl-5-(3-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[5-(3-Ethoxy-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   5-(5-{5-[3-(2,2,2-Trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl}-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl)-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   5-(5-{7-Difluoromethyl-5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl}-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl)-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[5-(3-Chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[5-(3-Chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[7-Difluoromethyl-5-(3-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[5-(3-Fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[5-(3,4-Difluoro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[5-(3,4-Difluoro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[5-(3-Fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[5-(3-Chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[5-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[5-(3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine;-   4-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   4-{5-[5-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;    and-   4-{5-[5-(3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo    [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridine-2-ylamine.

Also encompassed by the compounds of formula (I) according to theinvention are those compounds of formula (I-b):

wherein A and R¹ to R³ are as defined hereinabove in connection withformula (I).

In a certain embodiment the compounds of the invention are thosecompounds of formula (I-b), wherein:

-   R¹ is halo or CF₃;-   R² is H, halo, or C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₁₋₆-alkoxy each of which is    optionally substituted by one or more F;-   R³ is H, linear C₁₋₄-alkyl, preferably methyl, or C₃₋₄-cycloalkyl,    preferably cyclopropyl, each of which is optionally substituted by 1    to 6 F, preferably by 2 or 3 F;-   A is selected from the group consisting of aryl, preferably phenyl,    and 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl, preferably thiophenyl, pyridinyl,    pyrimidinyl or pyrazolyl, each of which is optionally substituted by    one to four R^(a);-   R^(a) is amino or SO₂—NR^(d)R^(e); wherein R^(d) and R^(e) are each    H;    and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Preferred compounds of formula (I-b) are those compounds of formula(I-b), wherein:

-   R¹ is Cl, F or CF₃;-   R² is H, F, Cl, methyl, OEt, CHF₂, CF₃, OCF₃ or OCH₂CF₃;-   R³ is H, methyl or cyclopropyl, each of which is optionally    substituted by 2 or 3 F;-   A is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, thiophenyl,    pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl and pyrazolyl, each of which is optionally    substituted by one R^(a);-   R^(a) is amino or SO₂—NR^(d)R^(e); wherein R^(d) and R^(e) are each    H;    and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, for example the    following compounds:-   3-{5-[8-Trifluoromethyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   4-{5-[8-Trifluoromethyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   4-{5-[6-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-8-methyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   3-{5-[6-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-8-methyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   5-{5-[6-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-8-methyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid amide;-   4-{5-[8-Methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   3-{5-[8-Methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   5-{5-[8-Methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid amide;-   5-{5-[8-Methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[8-Methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine;-   4-{5-[6-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;-   3-{5-[6-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl]-benzenesulfonamide;-   5-{5-[6-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid amide;-   5-5-[6-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid amide;-   5-{5-[6-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   5-{5-[6-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;-   4-{5-[8-Methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine; and-   4-{5-[6-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]    oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine.

Also encompassed by the compounds of formula (I) according to theinvention are those compounds of formula (I-c):

wherein A and R¹ to R³ are as defined hereinabove in connection withformula (I).

In a certain embodiment the compounds of the invention are thosecompounds of formula (I-c), wherein:

-   R¹ is halo or CF₃;-   R² is H, halo, or C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₁₋₆-alkoxy each of which is    optionally substituted by one or more F;-   R³ is H, linear C₁₋₄-alkyl, preferably methyl, or C₃₋₄-cycloalkyl,    preferably cyclopropyl, each of which is optionally substituted by 1    to 6 F, preferably by 2 or 3 F;-   A is selected from the group consisting of aryl, preferably phenyl,    and 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl, preferably thiophenyl, pyridinyl,    pyrimidinyl or pyrazolyl, each of which is optionally substituted by    one to four R^(a);-   R^(a) is amino or SO₂—NR^(d)R^(e); wherein R^(d) and R^(e) are each    H;    and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Preferred compounds of formula (I-c) are those compounds of formula(I-c), wherein:

-   R¹ is Cl, F or CF₃;-   R² is H, F, Cl, methyl, OEt, CHF₂, CF₃, OCF₃ or OCH₂CF₃;-   R³ is H, methyl or cyclopropyl, each of which is optionally    substituted by 2 or 3 F;-   A is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, thiophenyl,    pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl and pyrazolyl, each of which is optionally    substituted by one R^(a);-   R^(a) is amino or SO₂—NR^(d)R^(e); wherein R^(d) and R^(e) are each    H;    and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, for example the    following compounds:-   4-{3-[4-Trifluoromethyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-8-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;    and-   5-{5-[4-Trifluoromethyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-8-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic    acid amide.

The pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts of the compounds of theinvention can be manufactured readily according to methods known per seand taking into consideration the nature of the compound to be convertedinto a salt. Inorganic or organic acids such as, for example,hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulphuric acid, nitric acid,phosphoric acid, citric acid, formic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid,acetic acid, succinic acid, tartaric acid, methanesulphonic acid,p-toluenesulphonic acid and the like are suitable for the formation ofpharmaceutically acceptable salts of basic compounds of formulae (I),(I-a), (I-b) and (I-c).

The invention also encompasses a process for the preparation of thecompounds of formula (I) according to the invention, said processcomprising:a) reacting a compound of formula (VI):

with a compound of formula (VIII):

b) reacting a compound of formula (IX):

with a compound of formulae (X)

to obtain a compound of formula (I), wherein R¹ to R³ and A are asdefined hereinabove in connection with formula (I).

The synthesis of the intermediate compounds of formula (VI) above can becarried out in accordance with the following general procedure I, whichprocedure is outlined below in scheme 1. As for the reaction of thecompound of formula (VIII) with the compound of formula (VI), it can befor example carried out in accordance with the following generalprocedure II which procedure is outlined below in scheme 2. In theseschemes, R¹, R², R³, R⁴ and p are as defined hereinabove. Procedures Iand II are applicable for the preparation of all the compounds accordingto formula (I). Unless otherwise specified, all the compounds describedin general procedures and schemes I and II are commercially available.

General Procedure IStep 1:

To a stirred solution of commercially available compound of formula(III) in an organic solvent (e.g. tert-butyl-methyl-ether) is added atroom temperature a solution of sodium methanolate in methanol followedby a solution of compound of formula (II) in an organic solvent (e.g.tert-butyl-methyl-ether). The reaction mixture is stirred at roomtemperature for about 19 h, cooled, acidified and extracted (e.g. withdiethyl ether). The combined organic layers are washed and dried (e.g.MgSO₄) and evaporated to give crude compound of formula (IV) which canbe used without further purification. Compounds of formula (II) areeither commercially available or prepared according to examples A.1 toA.6.

Step 2:

A stirred mixture of commercially available compound of formula (V)(e.g. 3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole) and compound of formula (IV) inan organic acid (e.g. acetic acid) is heated under reflux conditions forabout 1.5 h. The reaction mixture is evaporated, and the crude productis dissolved in a mixture of a concentrated base (e.g. KOH in methanoland water). The reaction mixture is stirred at about 60° C. for about1.5 h, cooled, acidified and concentrated. The precipitate is collectedby filtration and further purified (e.g. by crystallization fromdiethylether/methanol) to give the compound of formula (VI).

General Procedure II (oxadiazoles)

The compounds of the invention of formula (I) can be obtained eitherwith route a) or with route b).

In route a), to a stirred solution of a carboxylic acid (0.5 mmol) inDMF (5 ml) is added at room temperature a compound of formula (VII)(e.g. 1,1′-carbonyl-diimidazol (0.75 mmol)), and the reaction mixture isallowed to stir at room temperature for 2h. The corresponding compoundof formula (VIII) (e.g. N-hydroxy-amidine (0.75 mmol)) is added, thereaction mixture is stirred at 80° C. for 15h and evaporated to dryness.Acetic acid (7.5 ml) is added, the stirred reaction mixture heated underreflux conditions for 4h and evaporated. Purification by chromatographyon silica gel and crystallization yielded the final product.

In route b) a commercially available carboxylic acid of formula (X) isadded to a compound of formula (IX). The compounds of formula (IX) areprepared from the corresponding nitrites following the same method asdescribed for the synthesis of compounds of formula (VIII) (seehereinafter: synthesis of intermediates compounds: N-hydroxy-amidines offormulae (VIII) and (IX) and examples B.1 to B.6).

The compounds of formula (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable saltsare metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists and can be used for thetreatment or prevention of acute and/or chronic neurological disorders,such as psychosis, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, cognitivedisorders and memory deficits. Other treatable indications arerestricted brain function caused by bypass operations or transplants,poor blood supply to the brain, spinal cord injuries, head injuries,hypoxia caused by pregnancy, cardiac arrest and hypoglycaemia. Furthertreatable indications are acute and chronic pain, Huntington's chorea,ALS, dementia caused by AIDS, eye injuries, retinopathy, idiopathicparkinsonism or parkinsonism caused by medicaments as well as conditionswhich lead to glutamate-deficient functions, such as e.g. muscle spasms,convulsions, migraine, urinary incontinence, nicotine addiction,psychoses, opiate addiction, anxiety, vomiting, dyskinesia, depression,colon cancer, sleep disorders, disorders of circadian rhythms andglioma.

The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositionscontaining compounds of formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable saltsthereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Such pharmaceuticalcompositions can be in the form of tablets, coated tablets, dragées,hard and soft gelatin capsules, solutions, emulsions or suspensions. Thepharmaceutical compositions also can be in the form of suppositories, orinjectable solutions.

The pharmaceutical compounds of the invention, in addition to one ormore compounds of the invention, contain a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers includepharmaceutically inert, inorganic and organic carriers. Lactose, cornstarch or derivatives thereof, talc, stearic acid or its salts and thelike can be used, for example, as such carriers for tablets, coatedtablets, dragées and hard gelatine capsules. Suitable carriers for softgelatine capsules are, for example, vegetable oils, waxes, fats,semi-solid and liquid polyols and the like; depending on the nature ofthe active substance no carriers are, however, usually required in thecase of soft gelatine capsules. Suitable carriers for the production ofsolutions and syrups are, for example, water, polyols, sucrose, invertsugar, glucose and the like. Adjuvants, such as alcohols, polyols,glycerol, vegetable oils and the like, can be used for aqueous injectionsolutions of water-soluble salts of compounds of formula (I), but as arule are not necessary. Suitable carriers for suppositories are, forexample, natural or hardened oils, waxes, fats, semi-liquid or liquidpolyols and the like.

In addition, the pharmaceutical compositions can contain preservatives,solubilizers, stabilizers, wetting agents, emulsifiers, sweeteners,colorants, flavorants, salts for varying the osmotic pressure, buffers,masking agents or antioxidants. They can also contain still othertherapeutically valuable substances.

The invention also provides a method for preparing compositions of theinvention which comprises bringing one or more compounds of formula Iand/or pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof and, ifdesired, one or more other therapeutically valuable substances into agalenical administration form together with one or more therapeuticallyinert carriers.

The compounds of the invention can be administered in a conventionalmanner, for example, orally, rectally, or parenterally. The compounds ofthe invention can be administered orally, for example, in the form oftablets, coated tablets, dragées, hard and soft gelatine capsules,solutions, emulsions, or suspensions. The compounds also can beadministered rectally, for example, in the form of suppositories, orparenterally, for example, in the form of injection solutions.

The present invention relates also to methods for treating acute and/orchronic neurological disorders of the aforementioned kind byadministering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of theinvention.

The dosage at which the compounds of the invention can be administeredcan vary within wide limits and will, of course, be fitted to theindividual requirements in each particular case. In general, theeffective dosage for oral or parenteral administration is between0.01-20 mg/kg/day, with a dosage of 0.1-10 mg/kg/day being preferred forall of the indications described. The daily dosage for an adult humanbeing weighing 70 kg accordingly lies between 0.7-1400 mg per day,preferably between 7 and 700 mg per day.

The compounds of the present invention are group II mGlu receptorantagonists. The compounds show activities, as measured in the assaydescribed below, of 0.150 μM or less, typically 0.030 μM or less, andideally of 0.010 μM or less. In the table below are described somespecific Ki values of some representative compounds. Ex. No. 1 3 11 2021 34 K_(i) mGlu2 (μM) 0.0056 0.0481 0.0088 0.0161 0.0102 0.051 Ex. No.41 42 46 47 48 77 Ki mGlu2 (μM) 0.0213 0.0146 0.0145 0.0077 0.00650.0255[³H]-LY354740 binding on mGlu2 transfected CHO cell membranes.Transfection and cell culture

cDNA encoding the rat mGlu2 receptor protein in pBluescript II wassubcloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA I-amp fromInvitrogen Ltd (Paisley, UK). This vector construct (pcD1mGR2) wasco-transfected with a psvNeo plasmid encoding the gene for neomycinresistance, into CHO cells by a modified calcium phosphate methoddescribed by Chen & Okayama (1988). The cells were maintained inDulbecco's Modified Eagle medium with reduced L-glutamine (2 mM finalconcentration) and 10% dialysed foetal calf serum from Gibco-Invitrogen(Carlsbad, Calif., USA). Selection was made in the presence of G-418(1000 ug/ml final) and MCPG??. Clones were identified by reversetranscription of 5 μg total RNA, followed by PCR using mGlu2 receptorspecific primers 5′-atcactgcttgggtttctggcactg-3′ and5′-agcatcactgtgggtggcataggagc-3′ in 60 mM Tris HCl (pH 10), 15 mM(NH₄)₂SO₄, 2 mM MgCl₂, 25 units/ml Taq Polymerase with 30 cyclesannealing at 60° C. for 1 min., extention at 72° C. for 30 s, and 1 min.95° C. denaturation.

Membrane Preparation

Cells, cultured as above, were harvested and washed three times withcold PBS and frozen at −80° C. The pellet was resuspended in cold 20 mMHEPES-NaOH buffer containing 10 mM EDTA (pH 7.4), and homogenised with apolytron (Kinematica, AG, Littau, Switzerland) for 10 s at 10 000 rpm.After centrifugation for 30 min. at 4° C., the pellet was washed oncewith the same buffer, and once with cold 20 mM HEPES-NaOH buffercontaining 0.1 mM EDTA, (pH 7.4). Protein content was measured using themicro BCA method from Pierce-Perbio (Rockford, Ill., USA) using bovineserum albumin as standard.

[³H]-LY354740 Binding

After thawing, the membranes were resuspended in cold 50 mM Tris-HClbuffer containing 2 mM MgCl₂ (pH 7) (binding buffer). The finalconcentration of the membranes in the assays was 25 μg protein/ml.Inhibition experiments were performed with membranes incubated with 10nM [³H]-LY354740 at room temperature, for 1 hour, in presence of variousconcentrations of the compound to be tested. Following the incubations,membranes were filtered onto Whatmann GF/B glass fiber filters andwashed 5 times with cold binding buffer. Non specific binding wasmeasured in the presence of 10 μM DCG IV. After transfer of the filtersinto plastic vials containing 10 ml of Ultima-gold scintillation fluidfrom Perkin-Elmer (Boston, Mass., USA), the radioactivity was measuredby liquid scintillation in a Tri-Carb 2500 TR counter (Packard, Zürich,Switzerland).

Data Analysis.

The inhibition curves were fitted with a four parameter logisticequation giving IC₅₀ values, and Hill coefficients.

EXAMPLES Synthesis of Starting Material

Most of the starting material used in the general procedures I and II iscommercially available. However some of said starting material has beenprepared according to the procedures as outlined hereafter and unlessotherwise specified, the intermediate compounds described therein arenovel compounds. The rest of the starting material useful in the generalprocedures I and II may be prepared taking into account the followingexamples of preparation and using known methods:

Synthesis of Acetophenones Derivatives (Starting Material of Formula II)Example A.1 4-Methyl-3-trifluoromethyl-acetophenone

To a stirred and cooled (0° C.) solution of potassium tert.-butanolate(1.39 g, 12 mmol) in DMSO (3 ml) was added diethyl malonate (1.9 ml, 12mmol) and the reaction mixture was stirred for 20 min at roomtemperature. To the white suspension was added at room temperature4-fluoro-3-trifluoromethyl-acetophenone (1 g, 5 mmol) and DMSO (2 ml).The reaction mixture was stirred for 6 h at 60° C. and for 16 h at roomtemperature. The reaction mixture was cooled (0° C.), a solution ofpotassium hydroxide (1.09 g, 19 mmol) in water (2 ml) was added and themixture was stirred at 100° C. for 23 h. The mixture was poured intoice/water (40 ml) and extracted with diethyl ether (2×40 ml). Thecombined organic layers were washed with water (3×30 ml), brine (30 ml),dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The crude product (0.92 g) was furtherpurified by column chromatography on silica gel (heptane/ethyl acetate3:1) to give the title compound (0.76 g, 77%) as a light yellow liquid.MS (EI) 202.0 [M].

Example A.2 4-Ethoxy-3-trifluoromethyl-acetophenone

To a stirred suspension of potassium ethanolate (2.36 g, 27 mmol) inethanol (30 ml) was added at room temperature a solution of4-fluoro-3-trifluoromethyl-acetophenone (2.5 g, 12 mmol) in ethanol (10ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at 60° C. for 2 h and evaporated.Ice/2 N HCl (50 ml) was added and the water layer was extracted withdiethylether (2×100 ml).

The combined organic layers were washed with ice-water (50 ml), brine(50 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to give the title compound (2.9 g,98%) as a brown solid, which was used without further purification. MS(EI) 232.1 [M].

Example A.3 4-(2,2,2-Trifluoro-ethoxy)-3-trifluoromethyl-acetophenone

To a stirred solution of 4-fluoro-3-trifluoromethyl-acetophenone (2.5 g,12 mmol) in DMSO (15 ml) was added at room temperature2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (1.7 g, 17 mmol) and potassium hydroxide (1.74 g,27 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 30 min at 40° C., ice/2NHCl (50 ml) was added and the water layer was extracted withdiethylether (2×100 ml). The combined organic layers were washed withice-water (50 ml), brine (50 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to givethe title compound (3.6 g, 98%) as a brown solid, which was used withoutfurther purification. MS (EI) 286.1 [M].

Example A.4 3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-acetophenone

The 1-(3-methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-ethanone was prepared by thefollowing sequence:

Step 1: 5-Methyl-2-nitro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenylamine

Under argon atmosphere, a suspension of potassium tert-butanolate (71.6g, 625 mmol) in DMSO (150 mL) was placed in a 1.5 L flask, fitted with amechanical stirrer. Then diethyl malonate (97.9 mL, 625 mmol) was addeddrop wise at 20-30° C. under ice bath cooling. To the thick whitesuspension was the added solid commercially available5-chloro-2-nitro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenylamine [CAS-No. 35375-74-7](60.14 g, 250 mmol) in one portion, the mixture was diluted with DMSO(100 mL) and the red solution warmed up to 60° C. and stirred for 20 hat 60° C. The mixture was cooled to 23° C. and a solution of potassiumhydroxide (85%, 65.24 g, 1 mol) in water (100 mL) was added drop wise.The mixture was then heated to 100° C. and stirred for further 4 h. Themixture was cooled to 23° C., diluted with water (ca. 1000 mL),acidified with 37% HCl 3 to pH 3, and extracted three times withtert-butyl methyl ether (TBME) The organic layers were washed withbrine, dried over MgSO₄ and evaporated to give a brown solid, which wastriturated with hot heptane, filtered off and washed with heptane togive the title compound as a brown solid (50.0 g, 91%), which was usedwithout further purification. MS (ISN) 218.9 [M-H].

Step 2: 1-Bromo-5-methyl-2-nitro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzene

To a rapidly stirred mixture of tert-butyl nitrite (45.33 mL, 382 mmol)and copper(II) bromide (76.1 g, 341 mmol) in acetonitrile (450 mL) at65° C. was added cautiously solid5-methyl-2-nitro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenylamine from step 1 (50.0 g, 227mmol). After the addition was complete, stirring was continued forfurther 1 h at 65° C. The mixture was cooled to 23° C. and poured into 1N HCl (1000 mL), extracted twice with TBME, the organic layer was washedwith brine, dried over MgSO₄. Removal of the solvent in vacuum left abrown oil, which was purified by silica gel column chromatography withheptane/ethyl acetate 9:1 to give the title compound as a yellow liquid(49.8 g, 77%). MS (EI) 283.0 [M] and 285.0 [M⁺2].

Step 3: 5-Methyl-2-nitro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

A mixture of 1-bromo-5-methyl-2-nitro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzene fromstep 2 (49.80 g, 175 mmol) and copper(I) cyanide (16.5 g, 184 mmol) in1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) (180 mL) was heated up to 150° C. andstirred for 30 min under nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was cooled to23° C. and poured into 1 N HCl, extracted with TBME, washed with brineand dried over Na₂SO₄. Removal of the solvent in vacuum left a brownoil, which was purified by silica gel column chromatography withheptane/ethyl acetate 4:1->2:1 to give the title compound as a lightyellow solid (35.48 g, 88%). MS (EI) 230.1 [M].

Step 4: 2-Amino-5-methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

Iron powder (37.42 g, 670 mmol) was added in small portions to a stirredsuspension of finely grinded5-methyl-2-nitro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile from step 3 (34.58 g,150 mmol) in methanol (75 mL) and 37% HCl (93 mL). The internaltemperature was kept between 40 and 60° C. by external water bathcooling. The resulting brown solution was stirred for 1 h at 50° C.,giving a green suspension. The mixture was poured into ice cold water(600 mL), the precipitated solid was filtered off and washed with waterto give a green solid, which was dissolved in boiling ethanol (700 mL),activated carbon (ca. 10 g) was added and the mixture was refluxed for 1h. The hot solution was filtered and the solvent was evaporated invacuum to leave the title compound as a brown-yellow solid (23.55 g,78%), which was used without further purification. MS (EI) 200.1 [M].

Step 5: 3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

To a solution of 2-amino-5-methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile fromstep 4 (23.34 g, 117 mmol) in dry THF (350 mL) was added isoamyl nitrite(34.3 mL, 257 mmol) and the mixture was refluxed for 20 h. Additionalisoamyl nitrite (16.6 mL, 129 mmol) was added and the mixture wasrefluxed for further 20 h. The mixture was cooled to 23° C. and dilutedwith TBME, the organic layer was washed with 1 N HCl, sat. NaHCO₃-sol.and brine, dried over Na₂SO₄. Removal of the solvent in vacuum left abrown oil (25.82 g), which was purified by bulb to bulb distillation togive a yellow liquid (20.11 g), which was finally purified bydistillation to give the title compound as a yellow liquid (17.10 g,79%; bp 38-42° C. at 0.8 mbar). MS (EI) 185.1 [M].

Step 6: 3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-benzoic acid

A mixture of 3-methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile from step 5 (16.25g, 88 mmol) and 3 N NaOH (88 mL, 264 mmol) in dioxane (90 mL) wasrefluxed for 18 h. The mixture was cooled to 23° C., diluted with TBME,acidified with 1 N HCl to pH 1 and extracted twice with TBME. Thecombined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄.Removal of the solvent in vacuum left the title compound as an off whitesolid (14.46 g, 81%), %), which was used without further purification.MS (ISN) 203.1 [M-H].

Step 7: N-Methoxy-3,N-dimethyl-4-trifluoromethyl-benzamide

To a suspension of 3-methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-benzoic acid from step 6(14.1 g, 69.1 mmol), N,O-dimethylhydroxylamine hydrochloride (10.78 g,111 mmol), N-methylmorpholine (12.14 mL, 111 mmol) and 4-DMAP (844 mg,691 mmol) in DCM (230 mL) at 0° C. were added1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) (15.98g, 82.9 mmol) and DMF (85 mL). The mixture was warmed up to 23° C. andwas stirred for 18 h under nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was dilutedwith TBME, washed with water and twice brine, dried over Na₂SO₄. Removalof the solvent in vacuum left the title compound as a brown oil (16.92g, 99%), which was used without further purification. MS (ISP) 248.0[M+H].

Step 8: 1-(3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-ethanone

To a solution of N-methoxy-3,N-dimethyl-4-trifluoromethyl-benzamide fromstep 7 (16.90 g, 68.36 mmol) in THF (280 mL) at −5° C. was added a 3 Mmethylmagnesium bromide solution in diethyl ether (45.6 mL, 136.7 mmol).The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 1 h, then was warmed up to 23° C.and stirring was continued at 23° C. for further 1.5 h under nitrogenatmosphere. Then 1 N HCl (100 mL) was added drop wise to the mixture andstirring was continued for 30 min. The mixture was diluted with EtOAcand the aqueous layer was separated, the organic layer was washed withbrine and dried over MgSO₄. Removal of the solvent in vacuum left thetitle compound as a light brown liquid (12.87 g, 93.1%), which was usedwithout further purification. MS (EI) 202.1 [M].

Example A.5 3-Ethoxy-4-trifluoromethyl-acetophenone

The 1-(3-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-ethanone was prepared by thefollowing sequence:

Step 1: 5-Ethoxy-2-nitro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenylamine

To EtOH (500 mL) was added potassium metal (ca. 21 g, ca. 537 mmol) andthe vigorous reaction had to be cooled with an ice bath. Stirring wascontinued until all potassium metal was dissolved. Solid commerciallyavailable 5-chloro-2-nitro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenylamine [CAS-No.35375-74-7] (57.74 g, 240 mmol) was added in one portion and theresulting dark red mixture was stirred at 55-60° C. for 4 days. The warmreaction mixture was slowly poured into H₂O (ca. 2000 mL), adjusted pHwith conc. HCl to pH 2, the yellow precipitate was filtered off, washedwith H₂O and dried in air at 60° C. to give a yellow solid (57.81 g,96%), which was used without further purification. MS (ISN) 249 [M⁻H].

Step 2: 1-Bromo-5-ethoxy-2-nitro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzene

Solid 5-ethoxy-2-nitro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenylamine from step 1 (57.81g, 231 mmol) was added slowly over 15 min to a rapidly stirred mixtureof tert-butyl nitrite (45.8 mL, 347 mmol) and anhydrous copper(II)bromide (77.4 g, 347 mmol) in acetonitrile (462 mL), which was heated to65° C. in an oil bath. Stirring at 65° C. was continued for 30 min, thereaction mixture was cooled to 23° C., poured into 1 N HCl, saturatedwith solid NaCl, extracted with TBME, dried over MgSO₄. Removal of thesolvent in vacuum left a dark brown oil (74.5 g). Silica gel columnchromatography with heptane/EtOAc 4:1 gave the title compound as ayellow solid (63.03 g, 87%). MS (EI) 313.0 [M] and 315.0 [M⁺2].

Step 3: 5-Ethoxy-2-nitro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

A mixture of 1-bromo-5-ethoxy-2-nitro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzene fromstep 2 (61.81 g, 197 mmol) and CuCN (18.51 g, 207 mmol) in NMP (197 mL)was heated to 150° C. for 30 min. Cooled to 23° C., poured into 1 N HCl,extracted with TBME, washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄. Removal ofthe solvent in vacuum left a brown oil. Silica gel column chromatographywith heptane/EtOAc 4:1 gave the title compound as a yellow solid (46.73g, 91%). MS (EI) 260.1 [M].

Step 4: 2-Amino-5-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

Iron powder (40.96 g, 733 mmol) was added in small portions over 5 minto a stirred suspension of finely grinded5-ethoxy-2-nitro-4-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile from step 3 (42.79 g,164.5 mmol) in MeOH (85 mL) and conc. HCl (102 mL) with water bathcooling keeping the internal temperature at 40-50° C. The resultingmixture was stirred for further 1 h at ca. 50° C. and then poured intoice cold H₂O (700 mL). The precipitate was filtered, washed with water,dried, and dissolved in boiling EtOH (800 mL), activated carbon (ca. 10g) was added, the mixture was refluxed for 45 min, the hot solution wasfiltered and evaporated to dryness to leave a yellow solid (31.81 g,84%), which was used without further purification. MS (EI) 230.1 [M].

Step 5: 3-Ethoxy-4-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

To a solution of 2-amino-5-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile fromstep 4 (31.62 g, 137.4 mmol) in dry THF (410 mL) was added isoamylnitrite (40.4 mL, 302 mmol) and the mixture was refluxed for 16 h. Thesolvent was removed in vacuum to give an orange oil, which was dissolvedin sat. NaHCO₃-sol., extracted three times with diethyl ether. Thecombined organic layers were washed with 1 N HCl and brine, dried overNa₂SO₄. Removal of the solvent in vacuum left an orange oil, which waspurified by double Kugelrohr distillation (up to 160° C. bathtemperature at 1.5 mbar) to give the title compound as a light yellowsolid (25.06 g, 85%). MS (EI) 185.1 [M].

Step 6: 1-(3-Ethoxy-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-ethanone

To a solution of 3-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile from step 5(5.00 g, 23.2 mmol), copper(I) bromide (100 mg, 0.7 mmol),tert.-butyldimethylchlorosilane (4.20 g, 27.9 mmol) in dry THF (30 mL)at −70° C. was drop wise added a 3 M methylmagnesium bromide solution indiethyl ether (13.2 mL, 39.6 mmol). The mixture was stirred at −70° C.for 10 min, then was warmed up to 0° C. and stirring was continued at 0°C. for further 2 h under nitrogen atmosphere. Poured the reactionmixture onto ice and sat. NH₄Cl-sol., extracted three times with diethylether, washed the combined organic layers with brine, dried over MgSO₄.Removal of the solvent in vacuum left a brown oil, which was purified bysilica gel column chromatography with heptane/EtOAc 4:1 to give thetitle compound as a yellow liquid (1.84 g, 34%). MS (EI) 232 [M].

Example A.6 3-(2,2,2-Trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-acetophenone

The 1-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-ethanone wasprepared by the following sequence:

Step 1: 2-Nitro-5-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenylamine

Commercially available 5-chloro-2-nitro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenylamine[CAS-No. 35375-74-7] (72.2 g, 300 mmol) was dissolved in DMSO (600 mL)and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (270 mL) were added at 23° C., the slightlyexothermic reaction was cooled with a ice bath. KOH (85%, 99.0 g, 1500mmol) were added slowly and the dark red reaction mixture was stirred at23° C. for 4 days. Transferred into a 3 L flask and 1500 ml H₂O wereadded under ice bath cooling, acidified with 3 N HCl and stirred at 23°C. for 3 h, filtered off the yellow precipitate, washed with H₂O anddried in air at 60° C. to give the title compound as a yellow solid(89.47 g, 98%). MS (ISN) 303.1 [M⁻H].

Step 2:1-Bromo-2-nitro-5-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-benzene

Solid 2-nitro-5-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenylaminefrom step 1 (24.28 g, 80 mmol) was added slowly over 15 min to a rapidlystirred mixture of tert-butyl nitrite (14.23 mL, 120 mmol) and anhydrouscopper(II) bromide (26.75 g, 120 mmol) in acetonitrile (160 mL), whichwas heated to 65° C. in an oil bath. Stirring at 65° C. was continuedfor 2 h, the reaction mixture was cooled to 23° C., poured into 1 N HCl,saturated with solid NaCl, extracted with TBME, dried over MgSO₄.Removal of the solvent in vacuum left a dark brown oil (35.57 g). Silicagel column chromatography with heptane/EtOAc 4:1 gave the title compoundas an orange solid (30.54 g, 104%), which was used without furtherpurification. MS (EI) 367 [M] and 369 [M⁺2].

Step 3:2-Nitro-5-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

A mixture of1-bromo-2-nitro-5-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-benzenefrom step 2 (30.54 g, 83.0 mmol) and CuCN (7.80 g, 87.1 mmol) in NMP (83mL) was heated to 150° C. for 30 min. Cooled to 23° C., poured into 1 NHCl, extracted with EtOAc, washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄. Removalof the solvent in vacuum left a dark brown oil (33.9 g). Silica gelcolumn chromatography with heptane/EtOAc 9:1->4:1 gave the titlecompound as a yellow solid (22.05 g, 85%). MS (EI) 314 [M].

Step 4:2-Amino-5-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

Iron powder (15.80 g, 283.0 mmol) was added in small portions over 5 minto a stirred suspension of finely grinded2-nitro-5-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile fromstep 3 (19.93 g, 63.4 mmol) in MeOH (32 mL) and conc. HCl (40 mL) withwater bath cooling keeping the internal temperature at 25-35° C. Theresulting mixture was stirred for further 1 h at ca. 30° C. and thenpoured into ice cold H₂O (400 mL). The precipitate was filtered, washedwith water, dried, and dissolved in boiling EtOH (400 mL), activatedcarbon (ca. 10 g) was added, the mixture was refluxed for 45 min, thehot solution was filtered and evaporated to dryness to leave a darkgreen solid (15.96 g, 84%), which was further purified by silica gelcolumn chromatography with heptane/EtOAc 4:1 to give the title compoundas a yellow solid (14.56 g, 81%). MS (ISN) 283 [M-H].

Step 5: 3-(2,2,2-Trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile

To a solution of2-amino-5-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrile fromstep 4 (14.47 g, 50.9 mmol) in dry THF (153 mL) was added isoamylnitrite (15.0 mL, 112.0 mmol) and the mixture was refluxed for 20 h. Thesolvent was removed in vacuum to give an orange oil, which was dissolvedin TBME, washed with 1 N HCl, sat. NaHCO₃-sol. and brine, dried overNa₂SO₄. Removal of the solvent in vacuum left a brown solid (15.05 g),which was purified by Kugelrohr distillation (up to 155° C. bathtemperature at 1.2 mbar) to give the title compound as a light yellowsolid (10.83 g, 79%). MS (EI) 269 [M].

Step 6: 3-(2,2,2-Trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-benzoic acid

A mixture of 3-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-benzonitrilefrom step 5 (8.75 g, 33 mmol) and 3 M NaOH (3.9 g, 98 mmol in 33 mL H2O)in dioxane (33 mL) was refluxed for 7.5 h. Poured onto ice, acidifiedwith conc. HCl to pH 1, saturated with solid NaCl, extracted with TBME,dried over MgSO₄. Removal of the solvent in vacuum left the titlecompound as an off-white solid (9.22 g, 98%), %), which was used withoutfurther purification. MS (ISN) 286.9 [M-H].

Step 7:N-Methoxy-N-methyl-3-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-benzamide

To a mixture of 3-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-benzoicacid from step 6 (9.22 g, 32 mmol), N,O-dimethylhydroxylaminehydrochloride (5.00 g, 51 mmol), N-methylmorpholine (5.62 mL, 51 mmol)and 4-DMAP (391 mg, 3.2 mmol) in DCM (100 mL) and DMF (20 mL) at 0° C.was added 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride(EDC) (7.36 g, 38 mmol) and the mixture was stirred at 23° C. for 18 h.Poured onto ice cold 1 N HCl, extracted with TBME, washed with sat.NaHCO₃-sol. and brine, dried over Na₂SO₄. Removal of the solvent invacuum left the title compound as a brown oil (10.555 g, 100%), %),which was used without further purification. MS (EI) 331.0 [M].

Step 8: 1-[3-(2,2,2-Trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-ethanone

To a solution ofN-methoxy-N-methyl-3-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-benzamidefrom step 7 (10.467 g, 32 mmol) in THF (100 mL) at −5° C. was addedmethylmagnesium bromide (3 M in Et₂O, 21.1 mL, 64 mmol). The mixture wasstirred at 0° C. for 15 min, then warmed up to 23° C., stirring wascontinued for further 1.5 h at 23° C. Cooled to 0° C., 1 N HCl (150 mL)was added dropwise, stirring was continued at 23° C. for 15 min, themixture was diluted with TBME, the phases were separated, the organiclayer was washed with water and brine, dried over MgSO4. Removal of thesolvent in vacuum left a yellow solid (9.021 g, 100%), which was usedwithout further purification. MS (EI) 286.1 [M].

Synthesis of Intermediates Compounds: N-Hydroxy-Amidines of Formulae(VIII) and (IX) Example B.1N-Hydroxy-7-trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxamidine

A stirred mixture of7-trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carbonitrile[CAS-No. 851262-50-5] (2.0 g, 5.61 mmol), hydroxylamine hydrochloride(0.78 g, 11.2 mmol) and potassium carbonate (2.33 g, 16.8 mmol) inethanol (100 ml) was heated under reflux conditions for 3h. After thereaction mixture reached room temperature the precipitate was collectedby filtration and washed with ethanol and ethyl acetate. The combinedfiltrates were evaporated and the crude product purified by flashchromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) to yield the titlecompound (1.51 g, 69%) as an orange solid. MS (ISP) 389.9 [(M+H)⁺]; mp252° C.

Example B.2 N-Hydroxy-5-sulfamoyl-thiophene-2-carboxamidine

A stirred mixture of 5-sulfamoyl-thiophene-2-carbonitrile [CAS-No.519055-65-3] (0.31 g, 1.65 mmol), hydroxylamine hydrochloride (0.23 g,3.31 mmol) and sodium carbonate (0.175 g, 1.65 mmol) in water (4.6 ml)and ethanol (1 ml) was heated under reflux conditions for 1.5h. Thereaction mixture was poured into water (50 ml) and extracted with ethylacetate (3×100 ml). The combined organic layers were washed with brine(100 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The crude product was purifiedby flash chromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) andcrystallization (ethyl acetate/MeOH/hexane) to yield the title compound(0.21 g, 58%) as a white solid. MS (ISN) 220.1 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 189° C.

Example B.3N-Hydroxy-4-trifluoromethyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-8-carboxamidine

A stirred mixture of4-trifluoromethyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-8-carbonitrile[CAS-No. 851263-42-8] 1.16 g, 3.26 mmol), hydroxylamine hydrochloride(0.46 g, 6.62 mmol) and potassium carbonate (1.35 g, 9.77 mmol) inethanol (50 ml) was heated under reflux conditions for 3h. Theprecipitate was collected by filtration and washed with ethanol, thecombined filtrates were evaporated and the crude product purified bycolumn chromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/ethanol 95:5) andcrystallization from diethyl ether/hexane to yield the title compound(257 mg, 20%) as a red solid. MS (ISN) 388.2 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 213° C.

Example B.4 6-Amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine

A stirred mixture of commercially available 2-amino-5-cyano-pyridine[CAS-No. 4214-73-71 (5.0 g, 42 mmol), hydroxylamine hydrochloride (17.5g, 0.25 mol) and sodium carbonate (31.1 g, 0.29 mol) in water (95 ml)and ethanol (21 ml) was heated under reflux conditions for 6h. Thereaction mixture was poured into water (150 ml) and extracted with ethylacetate (4×100 ml). The combined organic layers were washed with brine(150 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The crude product was purifiedby column chromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/MeOH/NH₄OH4:1:0.5) and crystallization (ethyl acetate/MeOH/hexane) to yield6-amino-nicotinamide (1.39 g) and the title compound (1.42 g, 22%) as anoff-white solid. MS (EI) 152.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 300° C.

Example B.5 2-Amino-N-hydroxy-pyrimidine-5-carboxamidine

A stirred mixture of commercially available 2-amino-5-cyano-pyrimidine[CAS-No. 1753-48-6] (1.39 g, 11.6 mmol), hydroxylamine hydrochloride(1.61 g, 23.2 mol) and potassium carbonate (4.8 g, 34.7 mol) in ethanol(57 ml) was heated under reflux conditions for 3h. The reaction mixturewas evaporated and purified by column chromatography on silica gel(dichloromethane/MeOH 9:1) to yield the title compound (1.28g, 72%) asan off-white solid. MS (EI) 153.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 218° C.

Example B.6 2-Amino-N-hydroxy-pyridine-4-carboxamidine

A stirred mixture of commercially available 2-amino-4-cyano-pyridine[CAS-No. 42182-27-4] (1.0 g, 8.39 mmol), hydroxylamine hydrochloride(1.17 g, 16.8 mmol) and sodium carbonate (0.89 g, 8.39 mol) in water (8ml) and ethanol (16 ml) was heated under reflux conditions for 3h. Thereaction mixture was evaporated, water (10 ml) was added and the mixturestirred at room temperature for 1 h. The precipitate was collected byfiltration to yield the title compound (0.87 g, 68%) as an off-whitesolid. MS (EI) 152.0 [(M)⁺]; mp 188° C.

Synthesis of Intermediates Compounds: pyrazolo-pyrimidine carboxylicacids (Intermediates of Formula VI) from Acetophenones

Some of the intermediates compounds, e.g. the pyrazolo-pyrimidinecarboxylic acids derivatives which can be used according to the generalprocedures I and II are commercially available. However some of saidintermediates have been prepared from acetophenones according to theprocedures as outlined hereafter and unless otherwise specified, thesecompounds are novel. The person skilled in the art will be able toprepare other pyrazolo-pyrimidine carboxylic acids derivatives useful inthe general procedures I and II taking into account the followingexamples of preparation:

Example C.17-Difluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid

a) To a stirred solution of ethyl difluoroacetate (5.0 ml, 21 mmol) intert-butyl-methyl-ether (30 ml) was added at room temperature a 5.4Msolution of sodium methanolate in methanol (4.65 ml, 25 mmol) followedby a solution of commercially available 4-trifluoromethyl-acetophenone(4.0 g, 21 mmol) in tert-butyl-methyl-ether (10 ml). The reactionmixture was stirred at room temperature for 19 h, poured into ice/water(50 ml), acidified with 2N HCl (40 ml) and extracted with diethyl ether(2×100 ml). The combined organic layers were washed with brine (2×50ml), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated to give crude4,4-difluoro-1-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-butane-1,3-dione (5.87 g) as ayellow liquid, which was used without further purification.

b) A stirred mixture of commercially available3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole (3.38 g, 22 mmol) and4,4-difluoro-1-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-butane-1,3-dione (5.8 g, 22mmol) in acetic acid (45 ml) was heated under reflux conditions for 1.5h. The reaction mixture was evaporated and the crude product (yellowsolid, 8.5 g, 22 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of 2M KOH in methanol(176.5 ml, 0.35 mol) and water (85 ml). The reaction mixture was stirredat 60° C. for 1.5 h, poured into ice/water (200 ml), acidified with 3Nsulfuric acid (pH=4) and stirred at room temperature for 30 min. Theprecipitate was collected by filtration and further purified bycrystallization from diethylether/methanol to give the title compound(4.51 g, 57%) as an off-white solid. MS (ISP) 356.1 [(M-H)⁻]; m.p. 261°C.

Example C.2 7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid

The title compound was prepared from commercially available ethyltrifluoroacetate, commercially available 4-trifluoromethyl-acetophenoneand commercially available 3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole accordingto the general procedure I.

Light yellow solid. MS (EI) 374.9 [M]; mp 248° C.

Example C.3 5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid

The title compound was prepared from commercially available ethyldifluoroacetate, commercially available 4-chloro-acetophenone andcommercially available 3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole according tothe general procedure I. Off-white solid. MS (ISP) 322.2 [(M-H)⁻]; mp232° C.

Example C.4 5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid

The title compound was prepared from commercially available ethyltrifluoroacetate, commercially available 4-chloro-acetophenone andcommercially available 3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole according tothe general procedure I. Off-white solid. MS (ISP) 340.0 [(M-H)⁻]; mp238° C.

Example C.57-Difluoromethyl-5-(3-methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid

The title compound was prepared from commercially available ethyldifluoroacetate, 3-methyl-4-trifluoro-acetophenone (example A.4) andcommercially available 3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole according tothe general procedure I. Off-white solid. MS (ISP) 370.1 [(M-H)⁻]; mp217° C.

Example C.65-(4-Chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid

The title compound was prepared from commercially available ethyltrifluoroacetate, commercially available 4-chloro-3-methyl-acetophenoneand commercially available 3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole accordingto the general procedure I. Off-white solid. MS (ISP) 354.0 [(M-H)⁻]; mp243° C.

Example C.75-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid

The title compound was prepared from commercially available ethyldifluoroacetate, commercially available 3,4-dichloro-acetophenone andcommercially available 3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole according tothe general procedure I. Off-white solid. MS (ISP) 356.0 [(M-H)⁻]; mp263° C.

Example C.85-(3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid

The title compound was prepared from commercially available ethyltrifluoroacetate, 3-methyl-4-trifluoro-acetophenone (example A.4) andcommercially available 3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole according tothe general procedure I. Off-white solid. MS (ISP) 388.1 [(M-H)⁻]; mp250° C.

Example C.95-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid

The title compound was prepared from commercially available ethyltrifluoroacetate, commercially available 3,4-dichloro-acetophenone andcommercially available 3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole according tothe general procedure I. Light yellow solid. MS (ISP) 374.1 [(M-H)⁻]; mp264° C.

Example C.105-[3-(2,2,2-Trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid

The title compound was prepared from commercially available ethyltrifluoroacetate, 3-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy-4-trifluoro-acetophenone(Example A.6) and commercially available3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole according to the general procedure I.Off-white solid. MS (ISP) 471.9 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 264° C.

Example C.115-(3-Ethoxy-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid

The title compound was prepared from commercially available ethyltrifluoroacetate, 3-ethoxy-4-trifluoro-acetophenone (Example A.5) andcommercially available 3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole according tothe general procedure I. Off-white solid. MS (ISP) 418.0 [(M-H)⁻]; mp264° C.

Example C.127-Difluoromethyl-5-(3-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid

The title compound was prepared from commercially available ethyldifluoroacetate, 3-ethoxy-4-trifluoro-acetophenone (Example A.5) andcommercially available 3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole according tothe general procedure I. Yellow solid. MS (ISP) 400.2 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 247°C.

Example C.13 5-(4-Chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid

The title compound was prepared from commercially available ethyldifluoroacetate, commercially available 4-chloro-3-methyl-acetophenoneand commercially available 3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole accordingto the general procedure I. Light yellow solid. MS (ISP) 336.0 [(M-H)⁻];mp 238° C.

Example C.147-Difluoromethyl-5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid

The title compound was prepared from commercially available ethyldifluoroacetate, 3-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy-4-trifluoro-acetophenone(Example A.6) and commercially available3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole according to the general procedure I.Off-white solid. MS (ISP) 454.2 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 261° C.

Example C.155-(3-Chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid

The title compound was prepared from commercially available ethyldifluoroacetate, 3-chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-acetophenone [CAS-No.129322-80-1] and commercially available3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole according to the general procedure I.

Light red solid. MS (ISP) 390.2 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 216° C.

Example C.167-Difluoromethyl-5-(3-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid

The title compound was prepared from commercially available ethyldifluoroacetate, commercially available3-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-acetophenone and commercially available3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole according to the general procedure I.

Light brown solid. MS (ISP) 374.1 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 233° C.

Example C.175-(3-Chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid

The title compound was prepared from commercially available ethyltrifluoroacetate, 3-chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-acetophenone [CAS-No.129322-80-1] and commercially available3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole according to the general procedure I.

Light yellow solid. MS (ISP) 408.0 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 244° C.

Example C.185-(3-Fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid

The title compound was prepared from commercially available ethyltrifluoroacetate, commercially available3-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-acetophenone and commercially available3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole according to the general procedure I.

Light yellow solid. MS (ISP) 392.0 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 212° C.

Example C.19 5-(4-Trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid

The title compound was prepared from commercially available ethyltrifluoroacetate, commercially available 4-trifluoromethoxy-acetophenoneand commercially available 3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole accordingto the general procedure I.

White solid. MS (ISP) 390.0 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 225° C.

Example C.207-Difluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid

The title compound was prepared from commercially available ethyldifluoroacetate, commercially available 4-trifluoromethoxy-acetophenoneand commercially available 3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole accordingto the general procedure I.

Off-white solid. MS (ISP) 372.1 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 231° C.

Example C.21 5-(3,4-Difluoro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid

The title compound was prepared from commercially available ethyltrifluoroacetate, commercially available 3,4-difluoro-acetophenone andcommercially available 3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole according tothe general procedure I.

Light yellow solid. MS (ISP) 342.0 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 274° C.

Example C.22 5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid

a. A mixture of ethyl 3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-3-oxo-propionate (18.1 g,0.080 mol) and ethyl 5-amino-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylate (13.7 g, 0.088mol) was stirred at for 3 h 160° C. Ethyl acetate (40 mL) and hexane (40mL) were successively added to the cooled mixture and stirring wascontinued at 0° C. for 0.5 h. The crystals were isolated by filtrationand triturated for 1.2 h with 0.2 N HCl (80 mL). The solid was filteredoff, washed with water and dried to give ethyl5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-7-hydroxy-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylate(13.3 g, 52%). White solid. MS (ISN) 316.3 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 190-192° C.

b. A mixture of5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-7-hydroxy-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylate(9.53 g, 0.03 mol), phosphorous oxychloride (11.0 mL, 0.12 mol), andN,N-dimethylaniline (1.3 mL, 0.01 mol) was stirred for 2 h at 100° C.The mixture was evaporated in vacuo and the residue was partitionedbetween water and dichloromethane. The organic phase was washed withwater, dried (Na₂SO₄) and evaporated in vacuo. The remaining solid wascrystallized from ethyl acetate/hexane to give7-chloro-5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (6.80 g, 67%).Pale-yellow solid, MS (ISP) 336.0 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 133-135° C.

c. A mixture of 7-chloro-5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine(0.34g, 1.0 mmol), triethylamine (0.28 mL, 2.0 mmol), and 5%palladium-charcoal (0.03 g) in ethanol (60 mL) was stirred in anatmosphere of hydrogen for 12 min at 20° C. The catalyst was removed byfiltration and the solution was evaporated. The residue was partitionedbetween ethyl acetate and water and the organic layer was dried (Na₂SO₄)and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was crystallized from ethylacetate/cyclohexane to give ethyl5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylate (0.18 g,59%). Off-white solid; MS (ISP) 301.9 [(M+H)⁺].

d. A mixture of ethyl5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylate (0.12 g, 0.4mmol) and 0.5 N sodium hydroxide solution (4 mL) in methanol (4 mL) washeated to 70° C. for 2 h. The mixture was cooled, diluted with water (8mL) and concentrated in vacuo. The aqueous solution was acidified to pH2 by the addition of 3N HCl. The precipitate was isolated by filtration,washed with water, and dried to give5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid (0.11 g,100%). Off-white solid. MS (ISN) 272.3 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 309-311° C.

Example C.23 5-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid

By subjecting ethyl 3-(4-trifluoro-phenyl)-3-oxo-propionate in analogousmanner to the procedures described in example C.22, steps a-d, the titlecompound was obtained. White solid. NMR (DMSO-d6): d 7.97/8.52 (2 d,2×2H), 7.98/9.41 (2 d, 2×1H), 8.63 (s, 1H), 12.46 (s, 1H) ppm.

Example C.245-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-methyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid

To a solution of 7-chloro-5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine(0.34 g, 1.0 mmol) and tetrakis(triphenylphosphin)palladium (0.35 g, 0.3mmol) in THF (15 mL) was added at 20° C. 2 M dimethylzinc/toluenesolution (1.3 mL, 3.6 mmol) and the mixture was refluxed in anatmosphere of argon for 2 h. After the slow addition at 0° C. of sat.aqueous ammonium chloride solution (10 mL), the mixture was partitionedbetween ethyl acetate and water. The organic layer was evaporated invacuo and the residue chromatographed on silica gel using ethylacetate/hexane (1:2 v/v) as eluent to give ethyl5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-7-methyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylate(0.15 g) as a white solid. This material was saponified using in ananalogous manner the procedure described in example C.22, step d), togive the title compound. White solid; MS (ISN) 286.0 [(M-H)⁻]; mp233-235° C.

Example C.25 7-Methyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid

Subjecting ethyl 3-(4-trifluoro-phenyl)-3-oxo-propionate in analogousmanner to the procedures described in Example C.22, steps a-b, andapplying to the resulting product the procedure described in exampleC.24, afforded the title compound. White solid. MS (ISP) 320.3 [(M-H)⁻];mp 244-245° C.

Example C.265-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-ethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid

To a solution of 7-chloro-5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine(1.0 g, 3.0 mmol), tetrakis(triphenylphosphin)palladium (0.35 g, 0.3mmol) in THF (5 mL) was added at 20° C. 0.4 M ethylzinc chloride/THFsolution (30 mL, 12 mmol; freshly prepared by stirring a mixture of 6 mLof 2 M ethylmagnesium chloride/THF and 24 mL of 0.5 M zinc chloride/THFfor 1 h at 0° C. followed by 1 h at 20° C.) and the mixture was refluxedin an atmosphere of argon for 2 h. After the slow addition at 0° C. ofsat. aqueous ammonium chloride solution (8 mL), the mixture waspartitioned between ethyl acetate and 10% sodium chloride solution. Theorganic layer was evaporated in vacuo and the residue chromatographed onsilica gel using ethyl acetate/cyclo-hexane (1:4 v/v) as eluent to giveethyl 5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-7-ethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (0.53 g, 54%). This material was saponified using in an analogousmanner the procedure described in example C.22, step d), to give thetitle compound. White solid; MS (ISN) 330.1 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 227° C.

Example C.27 5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-propyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid

Subjecting ethyl 7-chloro-5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidinein analogous manner to the procedure described in Example C.26, butreplacing the ethylzinc chloride/THF solution by a 0.4 M propylzincchloride/THF solution (freshly prepared from ethylmagnesium chloride andzinc chloride), the title compound was obtained. White solid. MS (ISN)314.1 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 208° C.

Example C.285-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-cyclopropyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid

To a solution of 7-chloro-5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine(4.0 g, 12.0 mmol), tetrakis(triphenylphosphin)palladium (1.15 g, 1.0mmol) in THF (20 mL) was added at 20° C. 0.25 M cyclopropylzincchloride/THF suspension (ca.192 mL, 48 mol; freshly prepared by stirringa mixture of 96 mL of 0.5 M cyclopropylmagnesium bromide/THF and 96 mLof 0.5 M zinc chloride/THF (96 mL) for 1 h at 0° C. followed by 1 h at20° C.) and the mixture was refluxed in an atmosphere of argon for 2.5h. After the slow addition at 0° C. of sat. aqueous ammonium chloridesolution (30 mL), the mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and10% sodium chloride solution. The organic layer was evaporated in vacuoand the residue chromatographed on silica gel using ethylacetate/cyclohexane (1:4 v/v) as eluent to give after crystallizationfrom ethyl acetate ethyl5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-7-cyclopropyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (2.54 g, 62%) as an off-white solid, mp 141-143° C. This materialwas saponified using in an analogous manner the procedure described inexample C.22, step d), to give the title compound. Off-white solid, MS(ISN) 312.3 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 242-243° C.

Example C.297-Cyclopropyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid

By subjecting ethyl 3-(4-trifluoro-phenyl)-3-oxo-propionate in analogousmanner to the procedures described in example C.22, steps a-b, andapplying to the resulting product the procedure described in exampleC.28, the title compound was obtained. Off-white solid. MS (ISP) 346.3[(M-H)⁻]; mp 233-235° C.

Example C.304-Trifluoromethyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-8-carboxylicacid

1) A stirred solution of commercially available5-amino-1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide (25 g, 198 mmol) in methanesulfonicacid (107 ml) and ethanol (400 ml) was stirred at reflux conditions for12d, evaporated and water (300 ml) was added. While stirring and cooling(ice/water) sodium hydroxide solution (32%) was added until pH=6 wasreached. The water layer was saturated with sodium chloride andextracted with ethyl acetate (3×200 ml). The combined organic layerswere dried (MgSO₄), evaporated and the crude product purifiedcrystallization (ethyl acetate/ethanol) to yield5-amino-1H-imidazole-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (13.7 g, 45%) as alight brown solid. MS (EI) 155.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 178° C.

2) A mixture of4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-butane-1,3-dione (10.0 g,35.2 mmol) and 5-amino-1H-imidazole-4-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (5.0g, 32.2 mmol) in acetic acid (120 ml) was refluxed for 24 h andevaporated. The crude product was further purified by columnchromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and crystallization(diethyl acetate/hexane) to yield4-trifluoromethyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-8-carboxylicacid ethyl ester (5.65 g, 43%) as a yellow solid. MS (EI) 403.1 [(M)⁺];mp 243° C.

3) A mixture of4-trifluoromethyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-8-carboxylicacid ethyl ester (5.6 g, 13.9 mmol), 2M potassium hydroxide solution(111 ml) and water (55 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 5h,cooled (ice-water), and acetic acid (30 ml) was added. The mixture wasevaporated, acetic acid (150 ml) was added and the stirred solution washeated under reflux conditions for 20 min. The reaction mixture wasevaporated, water (150 ml) was added followed by extraction with ethylacetate (2×300 ml). The combined organic layers were washed with brine(2×150 ml), dried (MgSO₄) and evaporated. The crude product was furtherpurified by cholumn chromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane1:1) to yield4-trifluoromethyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-8-carboxylicacid (1.93 g, 37%) as a yellow solid. MS (ISN) 374.3 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 231°C.

Example C.31 7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid

The title compound was prepared from commercially available ethyltrifluoroacetate, commercially available 3-trifluoromethyl-acetophenoneand commercially available 3-amino-4-ethoxycarbonyl-pyrazole accordingto the general procedure I.

Light yellow solid. MS (EI) 375.0 [(M)⁺]; mp 212° C.

Example C.328-Trifluoromethyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid Step 1) (4-Methoxy-benzyl)-(3-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-amine

A mixture of 2-chloro-3-trifluoromethylpyridine (64.83 g, 357 mmol),4-methoxybenzylamine (56 mL, 429 mmol) and DIPEA (73.4 mL, 429 mmol) inn-butanol (100 mL) was refluxed (oil bath temp. 140° C.) for 3.5 days.Concentrated in vacuum, partitioned between 25% HCl and TBME,reextracted the organic layer twice with 25% HC1, the aqueous layer wasmade alkaline with 32% NaOH, extracted with TBME, washed with brine anddried over Na₂SO₄. Removal of the solvent in vacuum left a brown oil(105.21 g, 104%). Vacuum distillation gave the title compound as acolorless liquid (83.766 g, 83%, 4877-2/2; bp 139-141° C. at 1.4 mbar).MS (ISP) 283.3 [(M+H)⁺].

Step 2) 3-Trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-ylamine CAS-No. [183610-70-0]

To conc. sulfuric acid (230 mL) at 5° C. was dropwise added above(4-methoxy-benzyl)-(3-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-yl)-amine (83.76 g, 297mmol) keeping the internal temperature below 20° C., stirring wascontinued at 23° C. for 30 min. Poured onto ice, made alkaline with 32%NaOH-sol. (ca. 800 mL) with external ice cooling, saturated with solidNaCl, extracted twice with THF/TBME/DCM, dried over Na₂SO₄. Removal ofthe solvent in vacuum left the title compound as a white solid (44.27 g,92%). MS (ISP) 163.2 [(M+H)⁺].

Step 3) 5-Bromo-3-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-ylamine CAS-No. [79456-34-11

To a solution of the above 3-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-ylamine (16.21 g,100 mmol) in acetonitrile (300 mL) at 5° C. was added NBS (17.8 g, 100mmol) and the mixture was stirred at 23° C. for 1 h. Poured into ice andadditional sat. NaHCO₃-sol., extracted with EtOAc, washed with brine,dried over Na₂SO₄. Removal of the solvent in vacuum left a yellow solid,which was filtered through a silica gel and cotton wool column withdichloromethane to give the title compound as a yellow solid (23.71 g,98%). MS (EI) 240.1 [(M)⁺], 242.0 [(M+2)⁺].

Step 4) 3-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyridin-2-ylamine

A mixture of the above 5-bromo-3-trifluoromethyl-pyridin-2-ylamine (9.90g, 41.1 mmol), commercially available 4-(trifluoromethyl)benzeneboronicacid CAS-No. [128796-39-4] (8.58 g, 45.2 mmol), 1N aqueousNa₂CO₃-solution (98.6 mL, 98.6 mmol) and Pd(PPh₃)₄ (475 mg, 1 mol %) inDME (205 mL) was refluxed under argon atmosphere for 1 h. Poured into 5%citric acid, extracted with EtOAc, washed the organic layers with sat.NaHCO₃-sol. and brine, dried over Na₂SO₄. Removal of the solvent invacuum left a grey solid (13.96 g) which was purified by silica gelflash chromatography with heptane/EtOAc 4:1 to 2:1 to give the titlecompound as a light yellow solid (10.90 g, 87%). MS (ISN) 305 [(M-H)⁻];mp 168° C.

Step 5)N,N-Dimethyl-N′-[3-trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyridin-2-yl]-formamidine

A mixture of the above3-trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyridin-2-ylamine (4.59g, 15 mmol) and dimethylformamide dimethyl acetal (2.25 mL, 16 mmol) intoluene was refluxed for 1 h. The reaction mixture was evaporated anddried at HV to give the title compound as a light yellow solid (4.21 g,78%). MS (ISP) 362 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 114° C.

Step 6)8-Trifluoromethyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid ethyl ester

A mixture of the aboveN,N-dimethyl-N′-[3-trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyridin-2-yl]-formamidine(3.61 g, 10.0 mmol) and ethyl bromoacetate (3.32 mL, 30.0 mmol) in DMF(10 mL) was stirred at 120° C. for 4 h. Cooled down to 100° C., addedDIPEA (0.5 mL, 3.0 mmol) and stirred at 23° C. for 2 h. Poured into sat.NaHCO₃-sol., extracted with EtOAc, washed the organic layers with brine,dried over Na₂SO₄. Removal of the solvent in vacuum left a brown oil(5.01 g) which was purified by silica gel column chromatography withheptane/EtOAc 9:1 to 4:1 to give the title compound as a light yellowsolid (2.89 g, 72%). MS (ISP) 403 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 132° C.

Step 7)8-Trifluoromethyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid

To a solution of the above8-trifluoromethyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid ethyl ester (3.06 g, 7.61 mmol) in THF (45 mL), MeOH (5 mL) andwater (11.3 mL) at 23° C. was added LiOH·H2O (479 mg, 11.41 mmol) andthe mixture was stirred at 23° C. for 3 h. Poured into icewater,adjusted pH with 1 N HCl (about 11.41 mL) to pH 2-3, saturated withsolid NaCl, extracted with EtOAc, dried over Na₂SO₄. Removal of thesolvent in vacuum left the title compound as a light brown solid (2.87g, 101%). MS (ISN) 373 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 248° C. (dec.).

Example C.336-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-8-methyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylic acidStep 1) 5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-3-methyl-pyridin-2-ylamine

Prepared as described in example C.32 (step 4) from commerciallyavailable 2-amino-5-bromo-3-methyl-pyridine (4 g, 21.4 mmol) andcommercially available 4-chlorophenylboronic acid (3.68 g, 23.5 mmol).Obtained as an off-white solid (3.86 g, 83%). MS (EI) 218.1 [(M)⁺]; mp156° C.

Step 2)N′-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-3-methyl-pyridin-2-yl]-N,N-dimethyl-formamidine

Prepared as described in example C.32 (step 5) from5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-3-methyl-pyridin-2-ylamine (4.8 g, 21.9 mmol).Obtained after crystallization from diethyl ether/hexane as an off-whitesolid (4.73 g, 79%). MS (ISP) 274.0 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 99° C.

Step 3) 6-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-8-methyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid ethyl ester

Prepared as described in example C.32 (step 6) fromN′-[5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-3-methyl-pyridin-2-yl]-N,N-dimethyl-formamidine(4.66 g, 17.0 mmol). Obtained as a light grey solid (5.35 g, 99%). MS(EI) 314.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 147° C.

Step 4) 6-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-8-methyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid

Prepared as described in example C.32 (step 7) from6-(4-chloro-phenyl)-8-methyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylic acidethyl ester (5.34 g, 17 mmol). Obtained as an off-white solid (3.32 g,68%). MS (ISN) 285.0 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 228° C.

Example C.348-Methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid Step 1) 3-Methyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyridin-2-ylamine

Prepared as described in example C.32 (step 4) from commerciallyavailable 2-amino-5-bromo-3-methyl-pyridine (4.5 g, 24.1 mmol) andcommercially available 4-trifluoromethyl-phenylboronic acid (5.03 g,26.5 mmol). Obtained as an off-white solid (5.36 g, 88%). MS (ISP) 252.9[(M+H)⁺]; mp 159° C.

Step 2)N,N-Dimethyl-N′-[3-methyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyridin-2-yl]-formamidine

Prepared as described in example C.32 (step 5) from3-methyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyridin-2-ylamine (5.16 g, 20.4mmol). Obtained as a light yellow solid (6.21 g, 99%). MS (ISP) 308.1[(M+H)⁺]; mp 74° C.

Step 3)8-Methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid ethyl ester

Prepared as described in example C.32 (step 6) fromN,N-dimethyl-N′-[3-methyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyridin-2-yl]-formamidine(5.98 g, 19.5 mmol). Obtained as an off-white solid (5.92 g, 87%). MS(EI) 348.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 128° C.

Step 4)8-Methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid

Prepared as described in example C.32 (step 7) from8-methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid ethyl ester (5.78 g, 16.6 mmol). Obtained as an off-white solid(4.53 g, 85%). MS (ISN) 319.1 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 211° C.

Example C.356-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylic acidStep 1) 5-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyridin-2-ylamine

Prepared as described in example C.32 (step 4) from commerciallyavailable 2-amino-5-bromo-pyridine (3.46 g, 20.0 mmol) and commerciallyavailable 4-trifluoromethyl-phenylboronic acid (4.18 g, 22.0 mmol).Obtained as an off-white solid (3.36 g, 71%). Mp 130° C.

Step 2)N,N-Dimethyl-N′-[5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyridin-2-yl]-formamidine

Prepared as described in example C.32 (step 5) from5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyridin-2-ylamine (3.35 g, 14.1 mmol).Obtained as a light brown solid (4.08 g, 99%). MS (ISP) 294.2 [(M+H)⁺];mp 154° C.

Step 3)6-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]]pyridine-3-carboxylic acidethyl ester

Prepared as described in example C.32 (step 6) fromN,N-dimethyl-N′-[5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyridin-2-yl]-formamidine(3.93 g, 13.4 mmol). Obtained as a light brown solid (3.07 g, 69%). MS(EI) 334.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 118° C.

Step 4) 6-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid

Prepared as described in example C.32 (step 7) from6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylic acidethyl ester (2.98 g, 8.91 mmol). Obtained as a white solid (2.21 g,81%). MS (ISN) 305.1 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 220° C.

Example C.36 6-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid Step 1) 5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-pyridin-2-ylamine

Prepared as described in example C.32 (step 4) from commerciallyavailable 2-amino-5-bromo-pyridine (3.46 g, 20.0 mmol) and commerciallyavailable 4-chloromethyl-phenylboronic acid (3.44 g, 22.0 mmol).Obtained as a white solid (3.07 g, 75%). MS (EI) 204.0 [(M)⁺]; mp 132°C.

Step 2) N,N-Dimethyl-N′-[5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-pyridin-2-yl]-formamidine

Prepared as described in example C.32 (step 5) from5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-pyridin-2-ylamine (2.92 g, 14.3 mmol). Obtained as alight brown solid (3.68 g, 99%). MS (ISP) 259.9 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 125° C.

Step 3) 6-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylic acidethyl ester

Prepared as described in example C.32 (step 6) fromN,N-dimethyl-N′-[5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-pyridin-2-yl]-formamidine (3.53 g,13.6 mmol). Obtained as an off-white solid (3.49 g, 85%). MS (EI) 300.1[(M)⁺]; mp 130° C.

Step 4) 6-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid

Prepared as described in example C.32 (step 7) from6-(4-chloro-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid ethyl ester(3.45 g, 11.5 mmol). Obtained as a white solid (2.69 g, 86%). MS (ISN)271.2 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 206° C.

Synthesis of Compounds of Formula (I) According to the Invention Example1 4-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from7-trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.2) (188 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-4-sulfamoyl-benzamidine [CAS-No. 4476-10-2](161 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification by flashchromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) and crystallization (ethylacetate/MeOH/hexane) as a light yellow solid (179 mg, 65%). MS (ISN)552.8 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 275° C.

Example 23-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from7-trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.2) (188 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-3-sulfamoyl-benzamidine [CAS-No. 9000-88-7] (161 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification bycolumn chromatography (dichloromethane/MeOH/NH₄OH) and crystallization(ethyl acetate/MeOH/hexane) as a yellow solid (175 mg, 63%). MS (ISN)552.8 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 262° C.

Example 33-(3-Pyridin-3-yl-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl)-7-trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine

The title compound was prepared from7-trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.2) (188 mg, 0.5 mmol) and commercially availableN-hydroxy-nicotinamidine [CAS-No. 1594-58-7] (103 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification by columnchromatography (dichloromethane/MeOH/NH₄OH) and crystallization(dichloromethane/MeOH/hexane) as a yellow solid (126 mg, 53%). MS (EI)476.1 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 199° C.

Example 4 4-{5-[7-Difluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from7-difluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.1) (179 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-4-sulfamoyl-benzamidine [CAS-No. 4476-10-2] (161 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification bycolumn chromatography (dichloromethane/MeOH/NH₄OH) and crystallization(ethyl acetate/hexane) as a light yellow solid (159 mg, 59%). MS (ISN)535.3 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 283° C.

Example 5 3-{5-[7-Difluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from7-difluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.1) (179 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-3-sulfamoyl-benzamidine [CAS-No. 9000-88-7] (161 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification bycolumn chromatography (dichloromethane/MeOH/NH₄OH) and crystallization(ethyl acetate/hexane) as a yellow solid (198 mg, 74%). MS (ISN) 535.3[(M-H)⁻]; mp 267° C.

Example 63-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-cyclopropyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-7-cyclopropyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.28) (157 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-3-sulfamoyl-benzamidine [CAS-No. 9000-88-7] (161 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification bycolumn chromatography (dichloromethane/MeOH/NH₄OH) and crystallization(dichloromethane) as an off-white solid (113 mg, 46%). MS (EI) 492.1[(M)⁺]; mp 285° C.

Example 7 3-{5-[7-Cyclopropyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from7-cyclopropyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.29) (174 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-3-sulfamoyl-benzamidine [CAS-No. 9000-88-7] (161 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification bycolumn chromatography (dichloromethane/MeOH/NH₄OH) and crystallization(ethyl acetate/MeOH/hexane) as an off-white solid (142 mg, 54%). MS (EI)526.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 277° C.

Example 84-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-cyclopropyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-7-cyclopropyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.28) (157 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-4-sulfamoyl-benzamidine [CAS-No. 4476-10-2] (161 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification bycolumn chromatography (dichloromethane/MeOH/NH₄OH) and crystallization(dichloromethane) as a light yellow solid (60 mg, 24%). MS (EI) 492.1[(M)⁺]; mp 260° C.

Example 9 4-{5-[7-Cyclopropyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from7-cyclopropyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.29) (174 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-4-sulfamoyl-benzamidine [CAS-No. 4476-10-2] (161 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification bycolumn chromatography (dichloromethane/MeOH/NH₄OH) and crystallization(dichloromethane/MeOH/hexane) as a light yellow solid (191 mg, 73%). MS(EI) 526.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 313° C.

Example 10 3-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.4) (171 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-3-sulfamoyl-benzamidine [CAS-No. 9000-88-7] (161 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification bycolumn chromatography (dichloromethane/MeOH/NH₄OH) and crystallization(dichloromethane) as a light yellow solid (200 mg, 77%). MS (ISP) 521.2[(M+H)⁺]; mp 247° C.

Example 113-{5-[8-Trifluoromethyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from8-trifluoromethyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.32) (187 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-3-sulfamoyl-benzamidine [CAS-No. 9000-88-7] (161 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification bycolumn chromatography (dichloromethane/MeOH/NH₄OH) and crystallization(dichloromethane) as an off-white solid (117 mg, 42%). MS (ISN) 552.0[(M-H)⁻]; mp 297° C.

Example 124-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.4) (171 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-4-sulfamoyl-benzamidine [CAS-No. 4476-10-2] (161 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification byflash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) and crystallization(dichloromethane) as a yellow solid (150 mg, 58%). MS (EI) 520.0 [(M)⁺];mp 296° C.

Example 134-{5-[8-Trifluoromethyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from8-trifluoromethyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.32) (187 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-4-sulfamoyl-benzamidine [CAS-No. 4476-10-2] (161 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification byflash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) and crystallization(dichloromethane) as a yellow solid (143 mg, 52%). MS (EI) 553.1 [(M)⁺];mp 292° C.

Example 14 4-{3-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared fromN-hydroxy-7-trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxamidine(example B.1) (195 mg, 0.5 mmol) and commercially available4-sulfamoyl-benzoic acid (101 mg, 0.5 mmol) according to generalprocedure II. Obtained after purification by flash chromatography (ethylacetate/heptane) and crystallization (dichloromethane) as a yellow solid(155 mg, 56%). MS (ISN) 553.3 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 292° C.

Example 15 3-{3-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared fromN-hydroxy-7-trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxamidine(example B. 1) (195 mg, 0.5 mmol) and commercially available3-sulfamoyl-benzoic acid (101 mg, 0.5 mmol) according to generalprocedure II. Obtained after purification by flash chromatography (ethylacetate/heptane) and crystallization (dichloromethane) as a yellow solid(144 mg, 52%). MS (ISN) 553.3 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 285° C.

Example 163-(5-{5-[3-(2,2,2-Trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl}-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl)-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.10) (237 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-3-sulfamoyl-benzamidine [CAS-No. 9000-88-7] (161 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification byflash chromatography (ethyl acetate/hexane) and crystallization(dichloromethane) as a light yellow solid (220 mg, 67%). MS (EI) 652.2[(M)⁺]; mp 250° C.

Example 173-{5-[5-(3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from5-(3-methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.8) (195 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-3-sulfamoyl-benzamidine [CAS-No. 9000-88-7] (161 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification byflash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) and crystallization(dichloromethane) as a light yellow solid (190 mg, 67%). MS (EI) 568.1[(M)_(t)]; mp 270° C.

Example 184-{5-[5-(3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from5-(3-methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.8) (195 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-4-sulfamoyl-benzamidine [CAS-No. 4476-10-2] (161 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification byflash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) and crystallization(dichloromethane) as a yellow solid (200 mg, 70%). MS (ISN) 567.2[(M-H)⁻]; mp 273° C.

Example 193-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.3) (162 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-3-sulfamoyl-benzamidine [CAS-No. 9000-88-7] (161 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after trituration withwater and further purification by crystallization (dichloromethane) as alight yellow solid (170 mg, 68%). MS (ISN) 501.1 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 231° C.

Example 20 5-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-cyclopropyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acidamide

The title compound was prepared from5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-7-cyclopropyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.28) (157 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-5-sulfamoyl-thiophene-2-carboxamidine (example B.2) (166 mg,0.75 mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained afterpurification by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) andcrystallization (ethyl acetate/dichloromethane) as a light brown solid(130 mg, 52%). MS (EI) 498.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 294° C.

Example 214-{3-[4-Trifluoromethyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-8-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared fromN-hydroxy-4-trifluoromethyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-8-carboxamidine(example B.3) (195 mg, 0.5 mmol) and commercially available4-sulfamoyl-benzoic acid (101 mg, 0.5 mmol) according to generalprocedure II. Obtained after purification by column chromatography(dichloromethane/MeOH/NH₄OH) and crystallization (dichloromethane) as ayellow solid (61 mg, 22%). MS (ISP) 555.3 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 303° C.

Example 225-{5-[5-(3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acidamide

The title compound was prepared from5-(3-methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.8) (195 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-5-sulfamoyl-thiophene-2-carboxamidine (example B.2) (166 mg,0.75 mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained afterpurification by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) andcrystallization (dichloromethane) as a light yellow solid (50 mg, 17%).MS (ISN) 573.2 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 324° C.

Example 235-(5-{5-[3-(2,2,2-Trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl}-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid amide

The title compound was prepared from5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.10) (237 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-5-sulfamoyl-thiophene-2-carboxamidine (example B.2) (166 mg,0.75 mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained afterpurification by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/hexane) andcrystallization (dichloromethane) as a yellow solid (220 mg, 67%). MS.(ISP) 659.3 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 255° C.

Example 245-{5-[7-Cyclopropyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonicacid amide

The title compound was prepared from7-cyclopropyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.29) (174 mg, 0.5 mmol)N-hydroxy-5-sulfamoyl-thiophene-2-carboxamidine (example B.2) (166 mg,0.75 mmol) and according to general procedure II. Obtained afterpurification by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) andcrystallization (dichloromethane/ethyl acetate) as a yellow solid (180mg, 68%). MS (ISP) 533.3 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 290° C.

Example 254-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from7-trifluoromethyl-5-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.31) (188 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-4-sulfamoyl-benzamidine [CAS-No. 4476-10-2] (161 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification byflash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) and crystallization (ethylacetate/dichloromethane) as a yellow solid (220 mg, 79%). MS (ISP) 555.3[(M+H)⁺]; mp 300° C.

Example 26 3-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from7-trifluoromethyl-5-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.31) (188 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-3-sulfamoyl-benzamidine [CAS-No. 9000-88-7] (161 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification byflash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) and crystallization(dichloromethane) as a light yellow solid (120 mg, 43%). MS (ISN) 552.9[(M-H)⁻]; mp 251° C.

Example 275-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonicacid amide

The title compound was prepared from7-trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.2) (188 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-5-sulfamoyl-thiophene-2-carboxamidine (example B.2) (166 mg,0.75 mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained afterpurification by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) andcrystallization (dichloromethane) as an off-white solid (130 mg, 46%).MS (ISN) 558.0 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 276° C.

Example 285-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid amide

The title compound was prepared from5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.4) (171 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-5-sulfamoyl-thiophene-2-carboxamidine (example B.2) (166 mg,0.75 mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained afterpurification by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) andcrystallization (dichloromethane) as a yellow solid (180 mg, 68%). MS(ISN) 525.0 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 294° C.

Example 295-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonicacid amide

The title compound was prepared from5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.3) (162 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-5-sulfamoyl-thiophene-2-carboxamidine (example B.2) (166 mg,0.75 mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained afterpurification by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) andcrystallization (dichloromethane) as a light yellow solid (96 mg, 38%).MS (EI) 508.0 [(M)⁺]; mp 259° C.

Example 30 5-{5-[7-Methyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acidamide

The title compound was prepared from7-methyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.25) (161 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-5-sulfamoyl-thiophene-2-carboxamidine (example B.2) (166 mg,0.75 mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained afterpurification by column chromatography (dichloromethane/MeOH/NH₄OH) andcrystallization (dichloromethane/MeOH) as a light yellow solid (88 mg,35%). MS (EI) 506.1 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 276° C.

Example 31 5-{5-[7-Difluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acidamide

The title compound was prepared from7-difluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.1) (179 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-5-sulfamoyl-thiophene-2-carboxamidine (example B.2) (166 mg,0.75 mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained afterpurification by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) andcrystallization (dichloromethane) as a yellow solid (200 mg, 74%). MS(EI) 542.0 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 278° C.

Example 325-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-methyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid amide

The title compound was prepared from5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-7-methyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid(example C.24) (144 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-5-sulfamoyl-thiophene-2-carboxamidine (example B.2) (166 mg,0.75 mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained afterpurification by column chromatography (dichloromethane/MeOH/NH₄OH)) andcrystallization (MeOH/dichloromethane) as a light yellow solid (79 mg,33%). MS (ISP) 473.3 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 253° C.

Example 335-{3-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonicacid amide

The title compound was prepared fromN-hydroxy-4-trifluoromethyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-8-carboxamidine(example B.3) (195 mg, 0.5 mmol) and commercially available2-sulfamoyl-thiophene-5-carboxylic acid [CAS-No. 7353-87-9] (104 mg, 0.5mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification byflash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) and crystallization(dichloromethane) as a yellow solid (110 mg, 39%). MS (EI) 560.0 [(M)⁺];mp 272° C.

Example 345-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from7-trifluoromethyl-5-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.31) (188 mg, 0.5 mmol) and6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine (example B.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification by flashchromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) and crystallization(dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (22 mg, 9%). MS (ISP) 492.1[(M+H)⁺]; mp 264° C.

Example 355-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from7-trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.2) (188 mg, 0.5 mmol) and6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine (example B.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification by flashchromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) and crystallization(dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (85 mg, 35%). MS (ISP) 492.1[(M+H)⁺]; mp 257° C.

Example 36 5-{5-[7-Difluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from7-difluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.1) (179 mg, 0.5 mmol) and6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine (example B.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification by flashchromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) and crystallization (ethylacetate/hexane) as a yellow solid (84 mg, 35%). MS (ISP) 474.0 [(M+H)⁺];mp 242° C.

Example 375-{5-[5-(3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-(3-methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.8) (195 mg, 0.5 mmol) and6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine (example B.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification by flashchromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) and crystallization(dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (98 mg, 39%). MS (ISP) 506.2[(M+H)⁺]; mp 220° C.

Example 38 3-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-methyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-7-methyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid(example C.24) (144 mg, 0.5 mmol) and N-hydroxy-3-sulfamoyl-benzamidine[CAS-No. 9000-88-7] (161 mg, 0.75 mmol) according to general procedureII. Obtained after purification by flash chromatography (ethylacetate/heptane) and crystallization (MeOH/dichloromethane) as a lightyellow solid (70 mg, 30%). MS (EI) 466.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 275° C.

Example 394-{5-[6-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-8-methyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from6-(4-chloro-phenyl)-8-methyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid(example C.33) (143 mg, 0.5 mmol) and N-hydroxy-4-sulfamoyl-benzamidine[CAS-No. 4476-10-2] (161 mg, 0.75 mmol) according to general procedureII. Obtained after purification by flash chromatography (ethylacetate/heptane) and crystallization (MeOH) as an off-white solid (143mg, 61%). MS (EI) 465.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 311° C.

Example 403-{5-[6-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-8-methyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from6-(4-chloro-phenyl)-8-methyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid(example C.33) (143 mg, 0.5 mmol) and N-hydroxy-3-sulfamoyl-benzamidine[CAS-No. 9000-88-7] (161 mg, 0.75 mmol) according to general procedureII. Obtained after trituration with water and further purification bycrystallization (MeOH/diethyl ether) as an off-white solid (152 mg,65%). MS (EI) 465.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 301° C.

Example 415-{5-[6-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-8-methyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid amide

The title compound was prepared from6-(4-chloro-phenyl)-8-methyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid(example C.33) (143 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-5-sulfamoyl-thiophene-2-carboxamidine (example B.2) (166 mg,0.75 mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after triturationwith water and further purification by crystallization (MeOH/diethylether) as an off-white solid (159 mg, 67%). MS (ISN) 470.0 [(M-H)⁻]; mp271° C.

Example 425-{5-[4-Trifluoromethyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-8-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonicacid amide

The title compound was prepared from4-trifluoromethyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-8-carboxylicacid (example C.30) (188 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-5-sulfamoyl-thiophene-2-carboxamidine (example B.2) (166 mg,0.75 mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained afterpurification by flash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) andcrystallization (dichloromethane/ethyl acetate) as a yellow solid (199mg, 71%). MS (ISN) 559.1 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 295° C.

Example 434-{5-[8-Methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from8-methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.34) (160 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-4-sulfamoyl-benzamidine [CAS-No. 4476-10-2](161 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after trituration with waterand further purification by crystallization (MeOH/diethyl ether) as anoff-white solid (146 mg, 58%). MS (ISP) 500.3 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 290° C.

Example 443-{5-[8-Methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from8-methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.34) (160 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-3-sulfamoyl-benzamidine [CAS-No. 9000-88-7] (161 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after trituration withwater and further purification by crystallization (MeOH/diethyl ether)as an off-white solid (175 mg, 70%). MS (ISP) 500.3 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 326° C.

Example 455-{5-[8-Methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonicacid amide

The title compound was prepared from8-methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.34) (160 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-5-sulfamoyl-thiophene-2-carboxamidine (example B.2) (166 mg,0.75 mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained afterpurification by column chromatography (dichloromethane/MeOH/NH₄OH) andcrystallization (diethyl ether/MeOH) as a pink solid (147 mg, 58%). MS(EI) 505.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 285° C.

Example 46 5-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from7-trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.2) (188 mg, 0.5 mmol)2-amino-N-hydroxy-pyrimidine-5-carboxamidine (example B.5) (115 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification byflash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) and crystallization(dichloromethane/MeOH) as a yellow solid (160 mg, 65%). MS (ISP) 493.3[(M+H)⁺]; mp 254° C.

Example 475-{5-[8-Methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from8-methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.34) (160 mg, 0.5 mmol) and6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine (example B.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification by columnchromatography (dichloromethane/MeOH/NH₄OH) and crystallization (diethylether) as a white solid (32 mg, 15%). MS (EI) 436.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 257° C.

Example 485-{5-[8-Methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from8-methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.34) (160 mg, 0.5 mmol)2-amino-N-hydroxy-pyrimidine-5-carboxamidine (example B.5) (115 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification byflash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) and crystallization(dichloromethane/hexane) as a white solid (60 mg, 27%). MS (ISP) 438.3[(M+H)⁺]; mp 302° C.

Example 493-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid (exampleC.22) (137 mg, 0.5 mmol) and N-hydroxy-3-sulfamoyl-benzamidine [CAS-No.9000-88-7](161 mg, 0.75 mmol) according to general procedure II.Obtained after purification by flash chromatography(dichloromethane/MeOH) and crystallization (dichloromethane) as anoff-white solid (86 mg, 38%). MS (ISN) 451.2 [(M-H)⁻]; mp 223° C.

Example 504-{5-[6-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid(example C.35) (153 mg, 0.5 mmol) and N-hydroxy-4-sulfamoyl-benzamidine[CAS-No. 4476-10-2] (161 mg, 0.75 mmol) according to general procedureII. Obtained after trituration with water and further purification bycrystallization (heptane/diethyl ether) as an off-white solid (186 mg,77%). MS (ISP) 486.3 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 288° C.

Example 513-{5-[6-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid(example C.35) (153 mg, 0.5 mmol) and N-hydroxy-3-sulfamoyl-benzamidine[CAS-No. 9000-88-7] (161 mg, 0.75 mmol) according to general procedureII. Obtained after trituration with water and further purification bycrystallization (MeOH/diethyl ether) as an off-white solid (202 mg,83%). MS (ISP) 486.3 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 288° C.

Example 52 5-{5-[5-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acidamide

The title compound was prepared from6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid(example C.23) (154 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-5-sulfamoyl-thiophene-2-carboxamidine (example B.2) (166 mg,0.75 mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained afterpurification by flash chromatography (dichloromethane/MeOH) andcrystallization (dichloromethane) as a yellow solid (154 mg, 62%). MS(ISP) 493.0 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 251° C.

Example 53 3-{5-[5-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide

The title compound was prepared from6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid(example C.23) (154 mg, 0.5 mmol) and N-hydroxy-3-sulfamoyl-benzamidine[CAS-No. 9000-88-7] (161 mg, 0.75 mmol) according to general procedureII. Obtained after purification by flash chromatography(dichloromethane/MeOH) and crystallization (dichloromethane) as a yellowsolid (96 mg, 39%). MS (ISP) 487.1 [(M+H)+J; mp 270° C.

Example 545-{5-[6-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonicacid amide

The title compound was prepared from6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid(example C.35) (153 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-5-sulfamoyl-thiophene-2-carboxamidine (example B.2) (166 mg,0.75 mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after triturationwith water and further purification by crystallization (heptane/diethylether) as an off-white solid (179 mg, 83%). MS (ISP) 492.2 [(M+H)⁺]; mp280° C.

Example 55 5-{5-[6-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid amide

The title compound was prepared from6-(4-chloro-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid (exampleC.36) (136 mg, 0.5 mmol) andN-hydroxy-5-sulfamoyl-thiophene-2-carboxamidine (example B.2) (166 mg,0.75 mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after triturationwith water and further purification by crystallization (heptane/diethylether) as an off-white solid (160 mg, 70%). MS (ISP) 458.2 [(M+H)⁺]; mp263° C.

Example 565-{5-[6-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid(example C.35) (153 mg, 0.5 mmol) and 6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine(example B.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol) according to general procedure II.Obtained after flash chromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate) andfurther purification by crystallization (MeOH/diethyl ether) as a whitesolid (27 mg, 13%). MS (ISP) 423.3 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 258° C.

Example 57 5-{5-[6-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from6-(4-chloro-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid (exampleC.36) (136 mg, 0.5 mmol) and 6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine (exampleB.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtainedafter flash chromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate) and furtherpurification by crystallization (MeOH/diethyl ether) as a white solid(34 mg, 17%). MS (ISP) 389.3 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 273° C.

Example 58 4-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from7-trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.2) (188 mg, 0.5 mmol) and2-amino-N-hydroxy-pyridine-4-carboxamidine (example B.6) (114 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification byflash chromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) andcrystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (162 mg,66%). MS (ISP) 492.1 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 277° C.

Example 594-{5-[5-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl]-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid(example C.23) (154 mg, 0.5 mmol) and2-amino-N-hydroxy-pyridine-4-carboxamidine (example B.6) (114 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification byflash chromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) andcrystallization (MeOH/dichloromethane/hexane) as a light yellow solid(130 mg, 61%). MS (EI) 423.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 250° C.

Example 604-{5-[8-Methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from8-methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.34) (160 mg, 0.5 mmol) and2-amino-N-hydroxy-pyridine-4-carboxamidine (example B.6) (114 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification byflash chromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) andcrystallization (MeOH/dichloromethane/hexane) as an off-white solid (140mg, 64%). MS (EI) 436.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 264° C.

Example 614-{5-[6-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxylic acid(example C.35) (153 mg, 0.5 mmol) and2-amino-N-hydroxy-pyridine-4-carboxamidine (example B.6) (114 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification bycolumn chromatography on silica gel (dichloromethane/MeOH 16:1)) andcrystallization (MeOH/dichloromethane/hexane) as an off-white solid (80mg, 38%). MS (EI) 422.9 [(M)⁺]; mp 280° C.

Example 625-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.4) (171 mg, 0.5 mmol) and6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine (example B.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after flash chromatographyon silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and further purification bycrystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (81 mg, 36%).MS (ISP) 458.1 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 253° C.

Example 635-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.3) (162 mg, 0.5 mmol) and6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine (example B.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after flash chromatographyon silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and further purification bycrystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (114 mg,52%). MS (ISP) 440.2 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 254° C.

Example 645-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-(4-chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.6) (178 mg, 0.5 mmol) and6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine (example B.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after flash chromatographyon silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and further purification bycrystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (66 mg, 28%).MS (ISP) 471.9 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 262° C.

Example 655-{5-[7-Difluoromethyl-5-(3-methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from7-difluoromethyl-5-(3-methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.5) (186 mg, 0.5 mmol) and6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine (example B.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after flash chromatographyon silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and further purification bycrystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (113 mg,46%). MS (ISP) 488.1 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 231° C.

Example 66 5-{5-[5-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.7) (179 mg, 0.5 mmol) and6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine (example B.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after flash chromatographyon silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and further purification bycrystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (92 mg, 39%).MS (ISP) 473.9 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 279° C.

Example 67 5-[(5-[5-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.9) (188 mg, 0.5 mmol) and6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine (example B.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after flash chromatographyon silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and further purification bycrystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (35 mg, 14%).MS (ISP) 492.0 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 289° C.

Example 685-{5-[7-Difluoromethyl-5-(3-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from7-difluoromethyl-5-(3-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.12) (201 mg, 0.5 mmol) and6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine (example B.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after flash chromatographyon silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and further purification bycrystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (110 mg,43%). MS (ISP) 518.1 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 250° C.

Example 695-{5-[5-(3-Ethoxy-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-(3-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.11) (210 mg, 0.5 mmol) and6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine (example B.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after flash chromatographyon silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and further purification bycrystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (120 mg,45%). MS (ISP) 536.3 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 263° C.

Example 705-(5-{5-[3-(2,2,2-Trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl}-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl)-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.10) (237 mg, 0.5 mmol) and6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine (example B.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after flash chromatographyon silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and further purification bycrystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (129 mg,44%). MS (ISP) 590.3 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 284° C.

Example 715-(5-{7-Difluoromethyl-5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl}-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl)-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from7-difluoromethyl-5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C. 14) (228 mg, 0.5 mmol) and6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine (example B.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after flash chromatographyon silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and further purification bycrystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (125 mg,44%). MS (ISP) 572.1 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 285° C.

Example 725-{5-[5-(3-Chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-(3-chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.15) (196 mg, 0.5 mmol) and6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine (example B.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after flash chromatographyon silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and further purification bycrystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (97 mg, 38%).MS (ISP) 508.2 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 252° C.

Example 735-{5-[5-(3-Chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-(3-chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.17) (205 mg, 0.5 mmol) and6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine (example B.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after flash chromatographyon silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and further purification bycrystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (90 mg, 34%).MS (ISP) 526.1 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 234° C.

Example 745-{5-[7-Difluoromethyl-5-(3-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from7-difluoromethyl-5-(3-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.16) (188 mg, 0.5 mmol) and6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine (example B.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after flash chromatographyon silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and further purification bycrystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (86 mg, 35%).MS (EI) 491.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 242° C.

Example 755-{5-[5-(3-Fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-(3-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.18) (197 mg, 0.5 mmol) and6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine (example B.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after flash chromatographyon silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and further purification bycrystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (95 mg, 37%).MS (ISP) 510.3 [(M+H)⁺]; mp 233° C.

Example 765-{5-[5-(3,4-Difluoro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-(3,4-difluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid (example C.21) (172 mg, 0.5 mmol)and 6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine (example B.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after flash chromatographyon silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and further purification bycrystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (97 mg, 42%).MS (EI) 459.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 262° C.

Example 775-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-(4-chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.13) (169 mg, 0.5 mmol) and6-amino-N-hydroxy-nicotinamidine (example B.4) (114 mg, 0.75 mmol)according to general procedure II. Obtained after flash chromatographyon silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and further purification bycrystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (68 mg, 30%).MS (EI) 453.0 [(M)_(t)]; mp 243° C.

Example 78 5-{5-[5-(3,4-Difluoro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-(3,4-difluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid (example C.21) (172 mg, 0.5 mmol)and 2-amino-N-hydroxy-pyrimidine-5-carboxamidine (example B.5) (115 mg,0.75 mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after flashchromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and furtherpurification by crystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellowsolid (130 mg, 56%). MS (EI) 460.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 268° C.

Example 795-{5-[5-(3-Fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-(3-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid (example C. 18) (197 mg, 0.5 mmol)and 2-amino-N-hydroxy-pyrimidine-5-carboxamidine (example B.5) (115 mg,0.75 mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after flashchromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and furtherpurification by crystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellowsolid (130 mg, 51%). MS (EI) 510.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 270° C.

Example 805-{5-[5-(3-Chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-(3-chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.17) (205 mg, 0.5 mmol) and2-amino-N-hydroxy-pyrimidine-5-carboxamidine (example B.5) (115 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after flashchromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and furtherpurification by crystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellowsolid (150 mg, 57%). MS (EI) 526.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 279° C.

Example 815-{5-[5-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-(3,4-dichloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.9) (188 mg, 0.5 mmol) and2-amino-N-hydroxy-pyrimidine-5-carboxamidine (example B.5) (115 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after flashchromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and furtherpurification by crystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellowsolid (180 mg, 73%). MS (EI) 492.0 [(M)⁺]; mp 300° C.

Example 825-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.4) (171 mg, 0.5 mmol) and2-amino-N-hydroxy-pyrimidine-5-carboxamidine (example B.5) (115 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after flashchromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and furtherpurification by crystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellowsolid (165 mg, 72%). MS (EI) 458.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 268° C.

Example 835-{5-[5-(3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-(3-methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.8) (195 mg, 0.5 mmol) and2-amino-N-hydroxy-pyrimidine-5-carboxamidine (example B.5) (115 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after purification byflash chromatography (ethyl acetate/heptane) and crystallization(dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (143 mg, 56%). MS (EI) 506.1[(M)⁺]; mp 272° C.

Example 845-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-(4-chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.6) (178 mg, 0.5 mmol) and2-amino-N-hydroxy-pyrimidine-5-carboxamidine (example B.5) (115 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after flashchromatography on silica gel (ethyl acetate/heptane) and furtherpurification by crystallization (dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellowsolid (54 mg, 23%). MS (EI) 472.1 [(M)⁺]; mp 272° C.

Example 854-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.4) (171 mg, 0.5 mmol) and2-amino-N-hydroxy-pyridine-4-carboxamidine (example B.6) (114 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after trituration withwater and further purification by crystallization(dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (112 mg, 49%). MS (EI) 457.1[(M)⁺]; mp 252° C.

Example 864-{5-[5-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-(3,4-chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylicacid (example C.9) (188 mg, 0.5 mmol) and2-amino-N-hydroxy-pyridine-4-carboxamidine (example B.6) (114 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after trituration withwater and further purification by crystallization(dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (149 mg, 61%). MS (EI) 491.0[(M)⁺]; mp 262° C.

Example 874-{5-[5-(3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridine-2-ylamine

The title compound was prepared from5-(3-methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carboxylic acid (example C.8) (195 mg, 0.5 mmol) and2-amino-N-hydroxy-pyridine-4-carboxamidine (example B.6) (114 mg, 0.75mmol) according to general procedure II. Obtained after trituration withwater and further purification by crystallization(dichloromethane/hexane) as a yellow solid (167 mg, 66%). MS (EI) 505.2[(M)⁺]; mp 245° C.

Preparation of Pharmaceutical Compositions Comprising Compounds of theInvention:

Example I

Tablets of the following composition are produced in a conventionalmanner: mg/Tablet Active ingredient 100 Powdered. lactose 95 White cornstarch 35 Polyvinylpyrrolidone 8 Na carboxymethylstarch 10 Magnesiumstearate 2 Tablet weight 250

Example II

Tablets of the following composition are produced in a conventionalmanner: mg/Tablet Active ingredient 200 Powdered. lactose 100 White cornstarch 64 Polyvinylpyrrolidone 12 Na carboxymethylstarch 20 Magnesiumstearate 4 Tablet weight 400

Example III

Capsules of the following composition are produced: mg/Capsule Activeingredient 50 Crystalline. lactose 60 Microcrystalline cellulose 34 Talc5 Magnesium stearate 1 Capsule fill weight 150

The active ingredient having a suitable particle size, the crystallinelactose and the microcrystalline cellulose are homogeneously mixed withone another, sieved and thereafter talc and magnesium stearate areadmixed. The final mixture is filled into hard gelatine capsules ofsuitable size.

1. A compound of formula (I):

wherein either E and J are N, G is C and one of L or M is N and theother is CH; or L and G are N, E is C, and J and M are CH; R¹ and R² areeach independently H, halogen, C₁₋₆-alkyl optionally substituted by oneor more F or C₁₋₆-alkoxy, or C₁₋₆-alkoxy optionally substituted by oneor more F; R³ is H, —C(CH₃)₂OH, or linear C₁₋₄-alkyl or C₃₋₄-cycloalkyleach of which is optionally substituted by one or more substituent(s)selected from the group consisting of 1 to 6 F and 1 to 2OH; A isselected from the group consisting of aryl and 5 or 6-memberedheteroaryl each of which is optionally substituted by one to four R^(a);R^(a) is F, OH, amino, C₁₋₆-alkyl optionally substituted by OH,C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₃₋₄-cycloalkyl, —CO—R^(b), SO₂—R^(c) or SO₂—NR^(d)R^(e);R^(b) is amino; R^(c) is OH or C₁₋₆-alkyl; R^(d) and R^(e) are the sameor different and are selected from the group consisting of: H; straightor branched C₁₋₆-alkyl optionally substituted by one or moresubstituent(s) selected from the group consisting of F, cyano, OH,di(C₁₋₆-alkyl)amino, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, 5 or 6-membered heterocycloalkyl,aryl and 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl; C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl; aryl; and 5 or6-membered heteroaryl; or R^(d) and R^(e) together with the nitrogenatom to which they are attached, form a heterocyclic ring of 4 to 6 ringmembers which is optionally substituted by OH or C₁₋₆-alkyl; or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. A compound of claim 1having formula (I-a):


3. The compound of claim 2, wherein: R¹ is halo or CF₃; R² is H, halo,or C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₁₋₆-alkoxy each of which is optionally substituted byone or more F; R³ is H, linear C₁₋₄-alkyl, or C₃₋₄-cycloalkyl each ofwhich is optionally substituted by 1 to 6 F; A is selected from thegroup consisting of aryl and 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl each of which isoptionally substituted by one to four R^(a); R^(a) is amino orSO₂—NR^(d)R^(e); wherein R^(d) and R^(e) are each H; or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 4. The compound of claim 3,wherein: R¹ is Cl, F or CF₃; R² is H, F, Cl, methyl, OEt, CHF₂, CF₃,OCF₃ or OCH₂CF₃; R³ is H, methyl or cyclopropyl, each of which isoptionally substituted by 2 or 3 F; A is selected from the groupconsisting of phenyl, thiophenyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl and pyrazolyl,each of which is optionally substituted by one R^(a); R^(a) is amino orSO₂—NR^(d)R^(e); wherein R^(d) and R^(e) are each H; or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 5. The compound of claim 4,selected from the group consisting of:4-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;3-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;3-(3-Pyridin-3-yl-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl)-7-trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine;4-{5-[7-Difluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;3-{5-[7-Difluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;3-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-cyclopropyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;3-{5-[7-Cyclopropyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;4-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-cyclopropyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;4-{5-[7-Cyclopropyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide; and3-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide. 6.The compound of claim 4, selected from the group consisting of:4-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;4-{3-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;3-{3-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;3-(5-{5-[3-(2,2,2-Trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl}-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl)-benzenesulfonamide;3-{5-[5-(3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;4-{5-[5-(3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;3-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;5-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-cyclopropyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid amide;5-{5-[5-(3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acidamide; and5-(5-{5-[3-(2,2,2-Trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl}-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl)-thiophene-2-sulfonicacid amide.
 7. The compound of claim 4, selected from the groupconsisting of:5-{5-[7-Cyclopropyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonicacid amide;4-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;3-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;5-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonicacid amide;5-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid amide;5-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid amide;5-{5-[7-Methyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acidamide;5-{5-[7-Difluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonicacid amide;5-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-methyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid amide; and5-{3-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acidamide.
 8. The compound of claim 4, selected from the group consistingof:5-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;5-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;5-{5-[7-Difluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,41 oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;5-{5-[5-(3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;3-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-methyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;5-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine;3-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-pyrazolo [1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;5-{5-[5-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonicacid amide; 3-{5-[5-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolof1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide; and4-{5-[7-Trifluoromethyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine.
 9. Thecompound of claim 4, selected from the group consisting of:4-{5-[5-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;5-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;5-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4] oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;5-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;5-{5-[7-Difluoromethyl-5-(3-methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;5-{5-[5-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;5-{5-[5-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-t[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;5-{5-[7-Difluoromethyl-5-(3-ethoxy-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine; and5-{5-[5-(3-Ethoxy-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine.
 10. Thecompound of claim 4, selected from the group consisting of:5-(5-{5-[3-(2,2,2-Trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl}-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl)-pyridin-2-ylamine;5-(5-[7-Difluoromethyl-5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl}-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl)-pyridin-2-ylamine;5-{5-[5-(3-Chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;5-{5-[5-(3-Chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;5-{5-[7-Difluoromethyl-5-(3-fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;5-{5-[5-(3-Fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;5-{5-[5-(3,4-Difluoro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;5-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-7-difluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;and5-{5-[5-(3,4-Difluoro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine.11. The compound of claim 4, selected from the group consisting of:5-{5-[5-(3-Fluoro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine;5-{5-[5-(3-Chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine;5-{5-[5-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine;5-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine;5-{5-[5-(3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine;5-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-3-methyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine;4-{5-[5-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;4-{5-[5-(3,4-Dichloro-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine; and4-{5-[5-(3-Methyl-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-7-trifluoromethyl-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridine-2-ylamine.
 12. Acompound of claim 1 having formula (I-b):


13. The compound of claim 12, wherein: R¹ is halo or CF₃; R² is H, halo,or C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₁₋₆-alkoxy each of which is optionally substituted byone or more F; R³ is H, linear C₁₋₄-alkyl, or C₃₋₄-cycloalkyl each ofwhich is optionally substituted by 1 to 6 F; A is selected from thegroup consisting of aryl and S or 6-membered heteroaryl each of which isoptionally substituted by one to four R^(a); R^(a) is amino orSO₂—NR^(d)R^(e); wherein R^(d) and R^(e) are each H; or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 14. The compound of claim 13,wherein: R¹ is Cl, F or CF₃; R² is H, F, Cl, methyl, OEt, CHF₂, CF₃,OCF₃ or OCH₂CF₃; R³ is H, methyl or cyclopropyl, each of which isoptionally substituted by 2 or 3 F; A is selected from the groupconsisting of phenyl, thiophenyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl and pyrazolyl,each of which is optionally substituted by one R^(a); R^(a) is amino orSO₂—NR^(d)R^(e); wherein R^(d) and R^(e) are each H; or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 15. The compound of claim 14,selected from the group consisting of:3-{5-[8-Trifluoromethyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;4-{5-[8-Trifluoromethyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;4-{5-[6-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-8-methyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;3-{5-[6-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-8-methyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;5-{5-[6-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-8-methyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid amide;4-{5-[8-Methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;3-{5-[8-Methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;5-{5-[8-Methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid amide; and5-{5-[8-Methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine.
 16. The compound of claim 14,selected from the group consisting of:5-{5-[8-Methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyrimidin-2-ylamine;4-{5-[6-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;3-{5-[6-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;5-{5-[6-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid amide;5-{5-[6-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonic acid amide;5-{5-[6-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;5-{5-[6-(4-Chloro-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine;4-{5-[8-Methyl-6-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine; and4-{5-[6-(4-Trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-pyridin-2-ylamine.
 17. A compound of claim 1 havingformula (I-c):


18. The compound of claim 17, wherein: R¹ is halo or CF₃; R² is H, halo,or C₁₋₆-alkyl or C₁₋₆-alkoxy each of which is optionally substituted byone or more F; R³ is H, linear C₁₋₄-alkyl, or C₃₋₄-cycloalkyl each ofwhich is optionally substituted by 1 to 6 F; A is selected from thegroup consisting of aryl and 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl each of which isoptionally substituted by one to four R^(a); R^(a) is amino orSO₂—NR^(d)R^(e); wherein R^(d) and R^(e) are each H; or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 19. The compound of claim 18,wherein: R¹ is Cl, F or CF₃; R² is H, F, Cl, methyl, OEt, CHF₂, CF₃,OCF₃ or OCH₂CF₃; R³ is H, methyl or cyclopropyl, each of which isoptionally substituted by 2 or 3 F; A is selected from the groupconsisting of phenyl, thiophenyl, pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl and pyrazolyl,each of which is optionally substituted by one R^(a); R^(a) is amino orSO₂—NR^(d)R^(e); wherein R^(d) and R^(e) are each H; or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 20. The compound of claim 19,selected from the group consisting of:4-{3-[4-Trifluoromethyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-8-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-5-yl}-benzenesulfonamide;and5-{S-[4-Trifluoromethyl-2-(4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-8-yl]-[1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl}-thiophene-2-sulfonicacid amide.
 21. The compound of claim 1, wherein E and J are N, G is Cand one of L or M is N and the other is CH.
 22. The compound of claim 1,wherein L and G are N, E is C, and J and M are CH.
 23. The compound ofclaim 1, wherein A is aryl optionally substituted by one to four R^(a).24. The compound of claim 1, wherein A is a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryloptionally substituted by one to four R^(a).
 25. The compound of claim1, wherein R^(d) and R^(e) are each independently H; straight orbranched C₁₋₆-alkyl optionally substituted by one or more substituent(s)selected from the group consisting of F, cyano, OH, di(C₁₋₆-alkyl)amino,and C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl; or C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl.
 26. The compound of claim 1,wherein one of R^(d) and R^(e) is straight or branched C₁₋₆-alkyloptionally substituted by one or more substituent(s) selected from thegroup consisting of 5 or 6-membered heterocycloalkyl, aryl and 5 or6-membered heteroaryl.
 27. The compound of claim 1, wherein one of R^(d)and R^(e) is aryl.
 28. The compound of claim 1, wherein one of R^(d) andR^(e) is a 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl.
 29. The compound of claim 1,wherein R^(d) and R^(e), together with the nitrogen atom to which theyare attached, form a heterocyclic ring of 4 to 6 ring members which isoptionally substituted by OH or C₁₋₆-alkyl;
 30. A pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compoundof formula I

wherein either E and J are N, G is C and one of L or M is N and theother is CH; or L and G are N, E is C, and J and M are CH; R¹ and R² areeach independently H, halogen, C₁₋₆-alkyl optionally substituted by oneor more F or C₁₋₆-alkoxy, or C₁₋₆-alkoxy optionally substituted by oneor more F; R³ is H, —C(CH₃)₂OH, or linear C₁₋₄-alkyl or C₃₋₄-cycloalkyleach of which is optionally substituted by one or more substituent(s)selected from the group consisting of 1 to 6 F and 1 to 2OH; A isselected from the group consisting of aryl and 5 or 6-memberedheteroaryl each of which is optionally substituted by one to four R^(a);R^(a) is F, OH, amino, C₁₋₆-alkyl optionally substituted by OH,C₁₋₆-alkoxy, C₃₋₄-cycloalkyl, —CO-R^(b), SO₂—R^(c) or SO₂—NR^(d)R^(e);R^(b) is amino; R^(c) is OH or C₁₋₆-alkyl; R^(d) and R^(e) can be thesame or different and are selected from the group consisting of: H;straight or branched C₁₋₆-alkyl optionally substituted by one or moresubstituent(s) selected from the group consisting of F, cyano, OH,di(C₁₋₆-alkyl)amino, C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl, 5 or 6-membered heterocycloalkyl,aryl and 5 or 6-membered heteroaryl; C₃₋₆-cycloalkyl; aryl; and 5 or6-membered heteroaryl; or R^(d) and R^(e) together with the nitrogenatom to which they are attached, form a heterocyclic ring of 4 to 6 ringmembers which is optionally substituted by OH or C₁₋₆-alkyl; or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier.